Yes — you can technically charge an EV from an ordinary power point using the portable cable that came with the car (often called a "granny charger"). Whether you should rely on it day to day is a different question, and for most people the answer is no.
The catch: it's slow
A standard 10-amp power point adds only about 10 km of range per hour — roughly a quarter of what a dedicated 7 kW wall charger delivers. For a short daily commute you might just keep up overnight; for anything more, you'll wake up short.
The bigger catch: it's not built for it
Ordinary power points and the circuits behind them weren't designed to deliver near-maximum current for eight-plus hours every night. Older wiring can run warm under that sustained load, which is why manufacturers position the portable cable as a backup, not a daily solution. A properly installed wall charger runs on its own dedicated, protected circuit — safer and faster.
Treat the portable cable as your spare-tyre: handy when you're away from home, not your everyday charger. A dedicated wall charger on its own circuit is safer, about four times faster, and installed and certified by a licensed electrician.
Every EVChargd install includes that dedicated circuit, safety testing and a Certificate of Compliance. Check your grants first, then book your install before your car arrives.
Common questions
Is it safe to charge an EV from a normal power point?
Using the manufacturer's portable cable occasionally is fine, but ordinary power points and older circuits aren't designed to deliver near-maximum current for eight-plus hours nightly, which can cause them to run warm. A dedicated wall charger on its own protected circuit is the safe daily solution.
How slow is charging from a power point?
About 10 km of range per hour — roughly a quarter of a 7 kW wall charger's 40 km per hour. Fine as a backup, impractical for regular driving.
Do I need a special plug for an EV charger?
A dedicated wall charger is wired to its own protected circuit by a licensed electrician, rather than plugging into a general power point. That's what makes it faster and safe for daily use.
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