Can You Charge an Electric Car at Home in South Africa? (2026 Complete Guide)
Yes, You Can Charge at Home – Here’s Exactly How
The short answer: Yes, 95% of South African EV owners successfully charge at home. It’s the most convenient and cost-effective way to own an EV – wake up every morning to a full “tank” without ever visiting a petrol station.
Home Charging Requirements (2026)
- Electricity supply: Any home with standard municipal/Eskom connection
- Installation space: Covered garage or carport (weatherproof mounting required)
- Circuit capacity: Dedicated 32A circuit installed by electrician
- Certificate of Compliance: Required by law (R500-R1,500)
- Total installed cost: R12,000-R25,000
💰 Calculate Your Costs: Use our EV Cost Calculator to see monthly charging costs vs petrol for your area.
Monthly Charging Costs by City (2026)
Based on 1,500km/month average driving:
| City | Rate | Monthly Cost | vs Petrol |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cape Town | R5.15/kWh | R687/month | Save R1,338 |
| Johannesburg | R3.85/kWh | R514/month | Save R1,511 |
| Durban | R4.50/kWh | R601/month | Save R1,424 |
| Port Elizabeth | R4.50/kWh | R601/month | Save R1,424 |
| Petrol (comparison) | R22.50/L | R2,025/month | Baseline |
Annual Savings: R16,056-R18,132 vs equivalent petrol vehicle!
Financing Your Home Charger Installation
Don’t have R12,000-R25,000 upfront? Financing options launching in 2026 will allow monthly payments of R350-R1,000/month.
Coming Soon: Flexible Financing Options
- Monthly payments: R350-R1,000/month (varies by term and deposit)
- Details being finalized with banking partners – no specific plans announced yet
- Register below to be notified when financing launches
- Early access priority for registered users with exclusive rates
🏠 Get Installation Quote: Visit our Charger Installation page for quotes from certified installers.
🚀 Register for EV Charger Financing
Coming Soon! Register your interest to be first in line when our financing programs launch.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can anyone charge an EV at home in South Africa?
Yes, if you have: (1) Standard municipal/Eskom electricity, (2) Safe mounting space (garage/carport), (3) Landlord approval if renting. A certified electrician assesses and installs a dedicated circuit. Total cost: R12,000-R25,000.
How much does it cost to charge at home per month?
For 1,500km/month: Cape Town R687 (R5.15/kWh), Johannesburg R514 (R3.85/kWh), Durban/PE R601. Saves R16,000-R18,000/year vs petrol at R22.50/L.
How long does home charging take?
Level 2 wall chargers (7.4kW) fully charge most EVs in 8 hours overnight. BYD Atto 3 (60kWh) takes ~8 hours empty to full. Charge while sleeping, wake to 100% battery daily.
Can I charge without a special charger?
Technically yes using 3-pin plug (Level 1), but extremely slow (26 hours for 60kWh). Not recommended as primary charging. Level 2 wall chargers essential for practical daily EV ownership.
Do I need municipal permission for home charger?
No municipal permission needed, but installation MUST be by registered electrician who issues Certificate of Compliance. Legally required, ensures safety meeting SANS electrical codes.
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