With electric cars becoming more popular every year, plenty of homeowners are asking the same question:
“Can I still get an EV charger if my electrics aren’t up to date?”
It’s a good question — especially if you live in an older property in Tilehurst, Caversham, or one of the surrounding villages where the wiring might not have seen much attention since the 90s.
The short answer is yes, you probably can — but you might need a few upgrades first. Let’s walk through what’s involved and what to expect.
Why your electrical setup matters
An EV charger draws a lot more power than your average appliance. A typical home charger runs at 7.2kW, which is roughly equivalent to using a high-powered electric shower — for hours at a time.
If your electrical system is old, undersized, or missing key safety features, it could struggle to cope safely with that extra demand. That’s why a professional installer will always carry out a pre-installation survey before fitting a charger.
This survey checks the capacity, safety, and condition of your existing supply. It’s the most important part of the process — and it ensures your charger will work safely and efficiently.
What we check before installation
At GU Solutions, we always start with a few key checks before installing any charger in homes across Burghfield Common, Shinfield, or Theale:
- Main supply rating – Older homes often have a 60-amp supply. We’ll check if that’s enough or if an upgrade to 80 or 100 amps is needed.
- Consumer unit (fuse board) – Modern chargers require RCD or RCBO protection and surge protection devices. If your board doesn’t have these, it may need replacing or an additional small distribution board.
- Earthing and bonding – Proper earthing is essential for EV charger safety. We’ll ensure your earthing meets BS 7671 Wiring Regulations.
- Distance and cabling – We’ll assess the cable run to make sure it’s correctly sized to handle the load over the distance between your fuse board and the charger.
These checks don’t take long — but they make all the difference between a safe, long-lasting installation and one that risks tripping circuits or worse.
What happens if your electrics need upgrading
Don’t worry — it’s more common than you might think.
In many older properties around Mortimer or Caversham, we find consumer units without RCD protection or wiring that doesn’t meet today’s standards. That doesn’t mean you can’t have a charger — it just means we’ll need to upgrade part of your setup first.
Common upgrades include:
- Replacing an outdated fuse board with a modern, compliant consumer unit
- Upgrading the main supply fuse (arranged through your energy supplier)
- Adding a dedicated EV circuit with surge and fault protection
- Checking and improving earthing and bonding throughout the property
These improvements don’t just allow you to install a charger — they also make your entire home safer and more efficient.
What if your supply is really limited?
If your home has a small or shared supply, such as a flat or an older rural property, you might still have options.
Some smart chargers, such as BG Sync, Hypervolt, or Zappi, use load management technology. This means the charger automatically adjusts its output to prevent your main fuse from being overloaded — so you can still charge your car safely without upgrading your supply right away.
We can help you choose the right charger for your setup, balancing cost, speed, and safety.
Can I still get a grant or smart charger installed?
Yes — as long as your installation meets the latest IET Code of Practice for Electric Vehicle Charging Equipment Installation, and you use an NICEIC Approved Contractor like GU Solutions, your system can be registered and certified correctly.
All our installations come with full certification and compliance documentation for your records — including Part P Building Regulations sign-off where required.
Why GU Solutions is the right choice
At GU Solutions, we’ve been helping homeowners across Reading, Tilehurst, Burghfield Common, and Theale modernise their electrical systems for over 20 years.
We’re fully NICEIC Approved, which means every EV charger installation we complete is safe, compliant, and future-ready.
We take care of:
- Pre-installation surveys and load checks
- Any required consumer unit or earthing upgrades
- Professional charger installation and setup
- Certification, registration, and handover
You’ll get a neat, safe installation that’s ready for the future — with local aftercare you can count on.
Book your EV charger survey today
If you’re not sure whether your home’s electrics can handle an EV charger, we’ll tell you — honestly and clearly.
Call GU Solutions on 01256 473326 or send us a message to book your home EV charger survey.
We’ll check your current setup, explain any work needed, and design a system that fits your property, budget, and vehicle perfectly.
Because with the right electrician, even an older home can be ready for the road ahead.
