Key takeaways
- Total cost: A home EV charger in the Netherlands usually costs €1,000–€3,000 including installation.
- Charging at home is cheaper: Around €0.15/kWh at home vs €0.46–€0.73/kWh at public chargers.
- Smart charging saves money: automatically charge during cheap electricity hours or when solar power is available.
- Tap Green Credits: earn passive income from charging your car. Drivers earn around €500 per year on average for the charging they already do.
How much does a home charger cost?
The total cost of installing a home charger depends on several factors, including the type of charger and your home’s electrical setup.
1. Purchase price of the charging station
The charger itself typically costs between €500 and €1,200, depending on:
- Brand and quality
- 11 kW or 22 kW capacity
- Smart features (load balancing, app control, dynamic charging)
A smart home charger is usually slightly more expensive than a basic model, but offers more control and potential savings. However, the “smartness” does not always have to be built into the charger itself. Tap can help make your charger smart so you don’t need to purchase a highly advanced smart charger.
2. Installation costs
The costs of installing a charger vary depending on your situation and usually range between €400 and €1,500.
The installation costs depend on:
- Distance between the meterbox and the charging point
- Whether ground work is required
- 1-phase or 3-phase connection
- Additional safety components
If your home needs a 3-phase upgrade via the network operator, this may add several hundred euros.
3. Charging costs (electricity usage)
The cost per kWh depends on your energy contract. With a variable or dynamic contract, charging can be significantly cheaper — especially when combined with smart charging during off-peak hours.
Want a detailed breakdown? See how your charging costs compare using on-street public charger prices vs home charging. Check out our guide on how much it costs to charge your EV.
Save more with solar panels
Do you have solar panels? Then you can charge your car during the day using your own solar energy. This increases your self-consumption and can significantly reduce your charging costs.
What is the total investment?
On average, the total cost of a home charger in the Netherlands falls between €900 and €2,500. The exact price depends on your home’s electrical setup and the type of charger you choose.
Tap Tip: Choose the right energy contract
If you charge regularly at home, your energy contract matters. Many EV drivers benefit from dynamic energy contracts, where electricity prices vary hourly. Combined with a smart home charger, this allows you to automatically charge when electricity is cheapest.
Buying a home charger: Comparison to show you what is the best home charger
To find the best charging station for your home you first have to understand some differences between chargers.
11 kW vs 22 kW home chargers
Charging stations differ in their charging power: there are 11 kW chargers and 22 kW chargers. These power levels refer to three-phase power connections.
If your house has a single-phase connection, the comparable charging speeds are approximately 3.7 kW (16A) or 7.4 kW (32A). With a three-phase connection, this increases to 11 kW (16A) or 22 kW (32A). Read more on this in the next section and find out which power connection is best for you.
When choosing between a 11 kW and a 22kW charger, for many people the deciding factor is the charge time. The higher the power of the charging station and the charging power of the electric car, the faster the charging session. A 22 kW charger can charge twice as fast as an 11 kW charger.
However if the maximum charging power of your car is 11 kW, a 22 kW charging station is not going to increase the speed of the charging.
Tap tip: If you want to save money on installation, choose a 11 kW charger as the installation of 22 kW chargers is often more complicated and therefore more expensive than the installation of 11 kW chargers.
Single or three-phase connector
What is the difference? When choosing a home charging station, it is important to know whether your meter box has a single-phase or three-phase connection. This determines how quickly your car can charge.
Single-phase connection
- Your home receives power via a single phase
- Standard connection in older homes in the Netherlands
- Supports up to 7.4 kW of charging power – that means it charges 30 – 40km per hour
- Ideal for those who charge over night
Three-phase connection
- Uses a three-phases simultaneously, allowing for more power to be delivered
- Has become more and more common in Dutch households, especially newer buildings
- Supports 11 kW (or sometimes up to 22 kW) charging stations – this allows you to charge much faster
- Ideal for those who want to future-proof their home and for those with a second EV
Tap tip: Many EVs only support a maximum of 11 kW charging, so a 22 kW charger is not always useful.
Recommendations
When choosing a home charger we recommend European-built products as these often have more reliable & high quality hardware.
Some example brands of the best chargers for home are: Easee, Zaptec, Peblar, Ratio, and NexBlue. Other popular brands include Alfen and Zappi.
Model comparisons
Nexblue (Edge 2, Edge Max)
Ratio io6 Pro MID
Peblar (Home/Home plus)
Easee (Charge Up/ Charge Max)
Hardware Price (excl. installation)*
From €599
From €789
From €779
From €649
Charging capacity**
11 to 22kW
11 to 22kW
11kW (home) or 22kw (home plus)
11 to 22kW
Suitable for single and three phase connection?
Suitable for solar energy
Load balancing possible?
App compatibility
Controllable through myNexBlue App
Controllable through Ratio EV Charging App
Controllable through Easee App + through Apple Watch (only Charge Max)
Extra functions
MID-certified energy meter (only Edge Max)
Ready for Bidirectional charging
MID-certified energy meter
Also suitable for business applications with up to 32 chargers
Scheduled charging
MID-certified energy meter (only Charge Up Max)
*Prices observed on 2nd March 2026 from wallboxdiscounter.com. Price of Nexblue chargers observed from slimmelaadpunt.nl on 2nd March 2026.
**Actual charging speed depends on whether the home has a single-phase or three-phase connection. With a single-phase connection, charging speeds are typically limited to 3.7 kW or 7.4 kW. With a three-phase connection, speeds of 11 kW or 22 kW are possible if your vehicle supports it.
Tap Tip: Make sure to choose a charger with an MID-certified energy meter, as this makes it easy to apply for reimbursement.
Did you know that if your home charger is MID-certified you may be able to earn money from the electricity you use to charge your EV? With Tap Green Credits, you can earn on average €500 per year. Find out more about Tap Green Credits here.
Installing home chargers
Installing an EV charging station at home is often easier than people think, but it must be done safely by a professional. Most installations take half a day to a full day.
How installation works
- Site inspection
- The first step is to check the situation and determine the location where the charger can be placed. Installers will look at where your car is usually parked. Do you have your own parking space, driveway, or garage? Then this will be very straightforward.
- In this step you also may have to decide if you want a wallbox (mounted to a wall) or a charging station (mounted to a pole).
- Pro tip: distance to the meter box affects installation costs. The further the charging station is from the meter box, the more cabling is required.
2. Meter box compatibility check
- Before starting the installation, an installer will check whether your meter is suitable for a home charging station.
3. Grid connection (1 phase or 3 phase)
- Then your connection will be checked: is it a single phase connector or a three-phase connector.
- If you have an older home, you likely have a single-phase connection (7.4 kW).
- If you have a newer home, with a strong supply of supply, you may have a three-phase connector (11-22 kW).
- If you want to future-proof your house, you may decide to upgrade your power grid to a three-phase connector. To do this, contact your network operator. Upgrading to a three-phase connection may incur additional costs.
4. Installation of the charging station itself
- The charger is mounted to a wall (wallbox) or a pole.
- The wires are installed.
- Wires are connected to your own power circuit.
- This process usually takes half a day to a full day.
5. Testing and delivery
- After installation, everything is tested so you can charge safely right away.
6. Optional smart features setups
- Depending on the type of charger you have, these smart features may also be setup during the installation:
- Load balancing
- Smart charging functions
- Off-peak charging
- Solar energy integration
- Access control
- Depending on the type of charger you have, these smart features may also be setup during the installation:
7. Cost of charging station installation
- The cost of installing a home charging station depends on several technical factors and the specific setup of your home.
- Key factors that influence the price include:
- Distance to the meter box: Longer cable routes increase material and labor costs.
- Single-phase or three-phase connection: A three-phase setup may require additional electrical work or a grid upgrade.
- Meter box adjustments: Extra safety components or a dedicated circuit may be needed.
- Optional smart features: Load balancing or solar integration can add complexity and cost to the installation.
- Because every home is different, installation costs can vary significantly — which is why a tailored quote is usually recommended.
Smart charging
What is a smart charger?
A smart charging station at home optimizes the charging process automatically. It doesn’t always start charging immediately when you plug in your car. Instead, it adjusts charging time and charging power based on factors such as electricity prices, grid load, and available solar energy.
However, it’s important to understand that the “smartness” does not always have to be built into the charger itself.
As long as a charging station supports OCPP 1.6 (Open Charge Point Protocol), it can connect to a smart charging platform. The platform then controls and optimizes the charging session. In that case, the intelligence is mainly in the software — not just in the charger.
This means you don’t necessarily need a highly advanced charger to benefit from smart charging. Tap can help make your charger smart.
Key features of a smart charger
Charge during off-peak hours and save money
- With a smart charging station, you can automatically charge when the electricity price is low. This is especially useful with a dynamic energy contract, where the electricity price varies hourly.
- Instead of charging during expensive peak times (such as early evening), the charging station schedules charging during cheaper hours, for example, at night. This allows you to consistently save on your charging costs.
Avoiding grid congestion
- In the Netherlands, the electricity grid is increasingly under pressure. This overload is also known as grid congestion. During peak hours (usually between 6:00 PM and 9:00 PM) the demand for electricity is highest.
- A smart charging station at home can automatically postpone charging to times when the grid is less busy. This prevents charging during peak hours and contributes to a more stable electricity grid.
- Smart charging is therefore not only beneficial for your wallet but also future-proof in an increasingly congested electricity grid.
Load balancing
A smart charging station can be equipped with load balancing. This system continuously monitors your home’s total power consumption.
If you’re using a heat pump, induction cooktop, or washing machine simultaneously, the charging station will temporarily reduce the charging capacity to prevent overloading your meter box. This prevents tripping fuses and keeps your system safe.
This is especially important for homes with a single-phase connection or limited energy supply.
Charging with solar panels
Do you have solar panels? Then a smart charging station can automatically charge when the sun is out and your solar panels are generating power.
Instead of sending the solar energy to the power grid, it is used immediately to power your car. This makes electric driving even more sustainable and cost-effective.
Automatic charge planning
With automatic charging scheduling, you can easily decide when your car should be fully charged and ready to go — for example, at 7:00 AM.
The smart charging station then automatically calculates when and how quickly it needs to charge. The system takes electricity prices, grid load, and available power into account.
This way, you’re always guaranteed a full battery on time, at the lowest possible cost.
Summary: Who is smart charging for?
A smart charger is ideal for people who:
- Drive (or want to drive) more than one EV
- Already have a dynamic energy contract
- Have installed solar panels in their home
- Want to future-proof their home
- Are part of the home owners association (VvE)
- Want more control over energy costs
Is a home charger beneficial?
Yes — installing a home charger is both a convenient and cost-effective investment for most EV drivers in the Netherlands.
More convenience
With a home charger, you always have access to a charging point. No more searching for an available public charger, waiting in line, or walking back and forth to your car. You simply plug in at home and wake up with a full battery.
For daily commuters, this convenience alone is often reason enough to install a home charger.
Lower charging costs
Charging your electric car at home is usually significantly cheaper than charging in public.
At home, you typically pay around €0.15 per kWh with a variable or dynamic contract (depending on market prices). Public charging, on the other hand, often costs:
- Around €0.46 per kWh at AC chargers (up to 22 kW)
- Between €0.60 and €0.73 per kWh at DC fast chargers (50 kW+)
Over time, this difference can save hundreds of euros per year, especially if you drive frequently.
No hidden fees
Public charging often includes additional costs such as:
- Starting fees
- Blocking fees (when your car remains plugged in although it is fully charged)
- Time-based tariffs
When you have a charger at your house, you simply pay your electricity rate. There are no unexpected extra charges, and you can leave your car plugged in as long as you want.
For many EV drivers, the combination of convenience, predictable costs, and long-term savings makes a home charger a smart choice.
Earn rewards with Tap Green Credits
Another benefit of smart home charging is the opportunity to support a more stable electricity grid through converting your charging data into revenue.
With Tap, you can register your charger for Energy Reduction Events (EREs) through Tap Green Credits. EREs are certificates created from electricity that was used to charge EVs. Fuel and energy companies are legally obliged to purchase these certificates to meet European and Dutch climate targets.
From January 2026, new Dutch regulations will allow private individuals and small businesses to participate through recognized service providers such as Tap Electric.
Tap converts your charging data into verified EUA and sells them on your behalf.
With Tap Green Credits, you can earn on average €500 per year with the charging you already do. Find out more about Tap Green Credits here.
Are you part of a VvE (homeowner association)?
Do you live in an apartment building and belong to a homeowner association (VvE)? In that case, installing EV chargers isn’t just about convenience — it’s about planning ahead for the whole building.
New European and Dutch building regulations are pushing properties to be ready for electric vehicle charging, especially when they undergo major renovations or have a large number of parking spaces. The goal is to ensure buildings stay future-proof as EV adoption increases.
What this means for you VvE
- Individual chargers are allowed: Soon, individual owners will be able to install a charger at their own parking spot by simply notifying the VvE board, without needing full approval from the general meeting.
- Collective planning is smarter: Even though individual installations are becoming easier, having a joint, collective charging plan offers major advantages:
- Efficient use of the building’s available power capacity
- Lower long-term investment costs per resident
- Increased property value and sustainability
- Scalability as more EV drivers join
Get ahead of future requirements
Even if your VvE isn’t currently required to install chargers, planning now helps avoid delays, extra costs, and disagreements later as more residents switch to electric driving.
To make this process smoother — from technical design and safety to cost sharing and legal compliance — professional guidance can make a big difference. Check out our guide for property managers to learn more about building a future-proof EV charging strategy.
Frequently asked questions about home chargers
?
Is a home charger beneficial?
Yes. A home charger is usually cheaper and more convenient than public charging, and it helps you avoid extra fees while always having a reliable charging point at home. This makes a home charger a convenient and cost-effective investment for most EV-drivers.
How much does a home charger including installation cost?
In the Netherlands, a home EV charger including installation typically costs between €1000 and €3,000. The final price depends on the type of charger, installation complexity, and whether your home requires a 3-phase electrical upgrade.
Is charging at home cheaper than public charging?
Yes. Home charging is usually significantly cheaper because you pay your household electricity rate rather than higher public charging tariffs and service costs.
Do I need a three-phase connection?
Not necessarily. A single-phase connection is often sufficient for slower to moderate charging (such as overnight). If you want faster charging or a more future-proof setup, a three-phase connection may be recommended.
What is the difference between a regular and a smart home charger?
A smart home charger can automatically charge during off-peak hours, integrate with solar panels, and adjust charging power to prevent overloading your home’s electrical system. When purchasing a home charger you can choose one with built-in smart options, or you can choose a basic model and Tap can help make it smart.
Can I charge my EV using solar panels?
Yes, you can charge your electric vehicle using solar panels. If your home has solar panels installed, the electricity they generate can be used to power your EV charger just like any other household appliance. If you own a smart charger, it can prioritize using excess solar energy when it’s available. This allows you to charge your car with renewable energy and reduce your overall electricity costs.
How long does it take to install a home charger?
Most installations take between half a day and one full day, depending on the distance to the meter box and the complexity of the setup.
What is the best charger for home?
We recommend European-built home chargers as these often have more reliable & high quality products. Some example brands of the best chargers for home are: Easee, Zaptec, Peblar, Ratio and NexBlue. Other popular brands include Alfen and Zappi.
Still not sure about installing a home charger?
A home charger is the most convenient and cost-effective long-term solution for homeowners, but it may not be the right step for you right away.
In the meantime, you can still save money on charging by using Tap. With Tap, you can access affordable public charging options and benefit from transparent pricing — without the hidden fees often associated with public charging.
It’s a simple way to keep charging smart while you decide whether a home charger is the best fit for your situation.
