Check your installation lead time and get charging sooner

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Yes, you can have a home charger installed before your new EV arrives. Your home survey is about your property, not your car, so your Ohme charger can be fitted and ready to use before your new car arrives. Getting it sorted ahead of delivery means you can smart charge, at the cheapest and greenest times, from your very first day with the car.

Here’s how the journey works:

• Quick eligibility check (about 2 minutes). Answer a few simple questions to confirm your home qualifies for a standard installation.
• Online home survey (about 10 minutes). Upload a few photos of your fuse box, meter and where you’d like the charger, all from your phone.
• We book you in. Once your survey is approved, standard installations are usually booked within one to two weeks.
• Installation and testing. A standard fit takes up to 3 hours. Your engineer commissions and fully tests the charger, simulating a charge with specialist equipment so it’s proven to work without your car needing to be there.
• Set up and ready for day one. Before they leave, your engineer helps you pair the charger to the Ohme app, so the moment your EV arrives you can plug in and start smart charging at the cheapest, greenest times.

Keeping things on track:

• Completing your online home survey as soon as you order is the quickest route to a date.
• Clear, well-lit photos and accurate details help us approve it first time, with no back-and-forth.
• If you rent or park on land you don’t own, getting the owner’s written permission early keeps things on track.
• If your home needs a longer cable run or extra works, we’ll send an individual quote first, so agreeing it quickly keeps your date. Read more about custom installations here.

Here’s six of the most exciting new EVs that will be arriving into showrooms in 2026.

Nissan Leaf

On sale: February

Built at Nissan’s plant in Sunderland, the third generation Leaf will be arriving in showrooms in early 2026. The new Leaf gets a choice of two batteries, 75kWh or a 52kWh (the latter will arrive later on), a range of up to 386 miles and efficiency of up to 4.5mls/kWh.

There’s a sleek new aerodynamic design to help it cut through the air, while inside are two 14.3in displays with Google Maps built in. The good news just gets better too as the Leaf qualifies for the full government £3750 Electric Car Grant, so starts from £32,249 for the entry level Engage model.

Alpine A390

On sale: spring

If Renault had a good year with the arrival of the new 5 and 4, then Alpine has a bumper 2026 ahead of it. First there’s the 5-based hot A290 properly starting to get underway, then there’s this, the A390 electric crossover – a car that Alpine promises to match EV power with Alpine driver involvement in a practical crossover body.

An 89kWh battery comes in GT or GTS forms, the latter with a whopping 470bhp under the driver’s right foot and some seriously impressive performance. Sleek looks and up to a 345 mile range will make it a temptingly formidable package for keen drivers.

Volvo ES90

On sale: March

2026 is due to be a big year for Volvo. Not only will it see the unveiling of the new EX60 SUV, but also the arrival into showrooms of this new ES90 executive saloon. Designed to go head-to-head with BMW’s i5, the ES90 comes with a choice of two batteries, 92kWh or 106kWh and a highly impressive range of up to 435 miles.

Also, while the ES90 looks a saloon, it actually has a more practical hatchback body and the Twin Motor Performance model can cover the 0-60mph spring in less than 4.0 seconds – phew! In a world where SUVs are increasingly dominating, it’s refreshing to see a traditional family saloon arrive on the market. Pricing will start from £67,560.

Polestar 5

On sale: spring

With the arrival of the 3 and 4, Polestar is slowly but surely building its premium brand into a force to be reckoned with. This new Polestar 5 grand tourer will only underline that when it arrives in the spring.

As a stunning fastback saloon the 5 will come with a 112kWh battery and a range of up to 451 miles. As well as a high end interior including a 21-speaker Bowers and Wilkins stereo and the lack of a rear windscreen like its sister car the Polestar 4, the 5 will feature some very impressive performance too with an incredible 884bhp in the Performance edition model. At £89,500, it won’t be cheap, but it promises to be one of the highlights of 2026.

BMW iX3

On sale: March

BMW’s next generation of design and technology, named Neue Klasse, arrives with the new iX3. With clean front styling and a small kidney grille not unlike the old 02-series of cars of the 1970s, it boasts a striking shape that will certainly make it stand out in a crowd. We think it’s stunning and it’s already been named as Top Gear Magazine’s Car of the Year.

Boasting a 500 mile range from its 108.7kWh battery – BMW claims it to be the longest-range EV on sale in the UK at its launch – the iX3 will also have 400kW rapid charging capability giving up to 231 miles in just 10 minutes. On sale from 7 March, prices for the 50 xDrive will start from £58,755.

Volkswagen ID. Polo

On sale: winter (tbc)

Volkswagen’s ID family will get a new baby in 2026 with the new ID. Polo. As well as official pictures of the production car – beyond these disguised camouflaged shots – details of the ID. Polo are a little thin on the ground at the moment, but we do know that it’s the first of four new small electric VWs launched from 2026 onwards.

The ID. Polo will have a choice of two different batteries – 37kW and 52kW – with three different power ratings and a range of up to 280 miles. Better yet, Volkswagen has also promised that there will be a GTI version of the ID. Polo eventually for keen drivers too. The UK specification and prices have yet to be confirmed, but in Europe VW has hinted at a starting price of under €25,000.

Welborne garden village is a new community-driven project by the South Downs, that is designed and delivered by the Buckland Group.

With 6000 homes planned for 15,000 residents, the Buckland Group has chosen Ohme as its home EV charging partner for Welborne, helping its future residents to charge their cars at the cheapest and greenest times through Ohme’s unique software and technology.

Unusually, more than half of the land within Welborne’s design has been given over to publicly-accessible green space. Ancient woodland, playgrounds, parks, an orchard as well as allotments, tree-lined streets and wide grass verges, the site will boast 444 acres of green space and is being built in conjunction with three local house builders – CG Fry and Son, Pye Homes and Thakeham.

As well as these spaces, there will be 12 miles of cycleways and pedestrian routes as well as plenty of amenities including a primary school, nursery, independent shops and cafes, a GP surgery and a pub/ hotel.

The homes themselves will be fitted with cutting edge technology. As well as Ohme ePod home chargers and solar panels, Welborne will feature a state of the art groundwater-source energy network providing efficiency and economical heating and cooling to all homes. This is the UK’s largest deployment of such innovative technology.

“We chose Ohme as our EV charging partner because it was a quality brand which matched with Welborne’s ethos,” said Karen Guibeleguiet from Welborne. “One of the main stand out points is that they are connected via an internal SIM card rather than requiring wi-fi to be live in the house, so this was a very important point for us.”

The site at Welborne will have a gradual opening process with the first homes being completed on and moved into by the end of 2025.

Full details on Welborne Garden Village are available here

Castlethorpe Homes is a small, SME housebuilder covering Oxfordshire, the Cotswolds and the surrounding counties. We visited one of its sites to chat to Chris Warner, Founder and Managing Director.

Tell us about Castlethorpe Homes

Castlethorpe Homes builds smaller, more bespoke developments in those areas that are all different but all based on quality, sustainability and community, that’s our ethos.

Today we’re at Willowside Grange which is five new homes – a farmhouse barn, two semi detached cottages and some unusual Dutch barns that we built from new, so this typifies the quality of what we like to bring to the location as a community and the sustainability measures that we fit as a feature of our new homes.

How important is sustainability to Castlethorpe Homes?

At Castlethorpe Homes we use a range of sustainability features depending on the development. Here at Willowside Grange, we have solar panels on the roof, air source heat pumps, waste water heat recovery and then obviously EV chargers from Ohme.

As a business we like to partner with other companies that share the same kind of ethos as we do. With Ohme we get great support, we get great products and importantly for our customers it’s important that they get the best that’s on the market. When it comes to sustainability, you need to partner with companies that share the same views and values that you do, so I think it’s important to work with some like Ohme that understands and shares our passion.

Are your customers aware of the sustainability measures that you feature on your homes? 

We tend to see an expanding number of buyers are becoming more and more switched on to sustainability. Therefore they have a good understanding of things like air source heat pumps and EV chargers, so I think it’s really important that we as a company also know what’s new in the market and what’s the very best that we can offer.

Our customers have become much more aware over the last 5-10 years there’s been a sea-change of difference of knowledge of people coming and asking questions relating to our sustainability features or the products we’re using or our specification for example.

The features are also becoming more of a selling point as the market becomes more aware. Ten years ago, the questions would have been dominated on location and price and now people are asking us whether the Ohme charger will charge their car, what’s the cost of living implications and the savings they will make, so we take all of these things into account when we’re bringing new products and sustainability measures into our new homes.

Why did you choose Ohme? 

When we were looking for an EV charging partner, we were looking for the functionality that suits our customers. It needed to be easy to install for our electrical subcontractors which is a good thing, but from the perspective of both our customers and us, one of the stand-out things with Ohme is the support we get from the office.

We like that support to be an extension of our business, so if you have an EV now, that’s great you can use the charger straight away, but if not and you’re intending on having an EV in the future, Ohme’s chargers have a built-in SIM card and we really like that. You might be in the house for two years, then buy an EV and decide you want to use it, so you can just activate the charger and use all of the Ohme’s features straight away.

You can find out more about Castlethorpe Homes here and full details of the services that Ohme offers to housebuilder and property developers here.

The UK government has launched a new incentive for electric vehicle (EV) buyers: the Electric Car Grant, offering up to £3,750 off the purchase of selected new electric cars priced under £37,000.

Announced in July 2025, this policy aims to make EVs more affordable for UK households while supporting cleaner, greener car production.

How does the grant work?

If you’re considering buying an EV, the new grant could significantly reduce the upfront cost. There are two different tiers to the grant:

• £3,750 off: Available for new EVs produced by manufacturers with the lowest verified production emissions and strong sustainability credentials.
• £1,500 off: Applies to other qualifying electric vehicles under £37,000, provided they still meet the government’s minimum criteria for emissions and sustainability.

Unlike previous schemes, the discount is applied instantly at the dealership when you make your purchase – there’s no need to fill out extra forms or wait for reimbursement. Car makers can already start applying for approval and buyers can see price reductions as soon as new models are confirmed by the Department for Transport.

Which EVs and manufacturers qualify?

Eligibility is strictly linked to the car’s price and environmental impact:

• Vehicle must be brand new, with no previous owners.
• EVs must be priced below £37,000 (excluding optional extras).
• Each model must offer a minimum range of 100 miles and come with three-year/ 60,000-mile warranty and 8-year/ 100,000-mile battery warranty.
• Most crucially, qualifying manufacturers must have a validated Science Based Target (SBT) for emissions reduction.

Which EVs are exempt from the new grant?

Not every EV or manufacturer will qualify for the grant and the final list is still evolving. Some EV manufacturers have already announced which cars will receive the grant, while others are offering discounts to match the grant anyway.

The problem is that eligibility isn’t solely about low vehicle emissions – it’s equally focused on sustainability across the entire production chain, from factories to batteries. Eligibility can even differ between different versions of the same car within the range.

If a version in a car’s range is below the £37,000 price bracket, then all of the other versions with the same battery get the discount, even if they’re priced above £37,000 because they have a higher specification – though a price limit has now been introduced of £42,000. But the same model of EV with a larger battery and a starting price of above £37,000 wouldn’t get the grant at all, despite potentially being less than that £42,000.

Why introduce the new grant?

The government has allocated £650 million for this scheme, aiming to help subsidise up to 173,000 vehicles at the maximum grant – a substantial boost for the industry to help assist retail sales of EVs.

What are the next steps for buyers?

• Check eligibility: Confirm whether your chosen EV and its manufacturer are on the latest list published by the Department for Transport – see list here
• Visit dealerships: The grant is applied automatically, so you simply negotiate the price as usual and dealers will handle the paperwork.
• Act soon: The grant will run for three years or until funding is exhausted, so early adopters stand to benefit the most if demand is high.

2025 will see lots of new EVs go on sale, we check out five to look out for over the next 12 months

Audi E6 e-tron

On sale: spring

If you’re after an EV family car in 2025 and don’t fancy an SUV, then Audi has got just the car for you – the new A6 e-tron. The A6 e-tron will be available in Sportback and Avant estate bodystyles and boasts the choice of either a 83kWh or 100kWh battery and a range of up to 450 miles.

With some of the best aerodynamics in the class, including optional digital cameras in lieu of door mirrors, the A6 e-tron also has adaptive air suspension and an electrochromatic panoramic glass roof that can become opaque at the touch of a button. Inside is packed with tech with an optional 20-speaker Bang & Olufsen stereo system.

Hyundai Ioniq 9

On sale: winter

Hot from last month’s Los Angeles motor show, this is the new Hyundai IONIQ 9 which is big in every possible way – it’s big on space, big on range and big on practicality. With seating for up to seven people inside, the IONIQ 9 has a huge 110.3kWh battery capable of a 380-mile range.

Inside the Hyundai is packed with sustainable materials including Eco Process leather, recycled fabrics and even exterior body paint made from recycled tyres. Digital mirrors are also available as an option, while there are USB ports for all three rows of seats and the steering wheel contains a charge status display too.

Renault 5 E-Tech

On sale: January

2025 is going to get off to an amazing start with the arrival in January of the stunning new Renault 5. Taking its styling cues from the 1970s original, the new 5 will be available with a choice of 40kWh or 52kWh batteries and a range of up to 248 miles.

There are bright retro colours to match the retro looks and a neat ‘5’ logo on the bonnet that lights up when charging showing the level of charge. Later in the year there will also be an Alpine A290 hot hatch version echoing the classic Renault 5 GT Turbos of yesteryear.

Volkswagen ID.2

On sale: tba

Do the best things come in the smallest packages? It certainly looks it if the new Volkswagen ID.2 is anything to go by. At the moment we’ve only seen this concept version, the ID.2all (pictured here with VW CEO Thomas Schäfer), but we’re expected to see the production version later in 2025 before it arrives in showrooms in 2026.

VW has promised the ID.2 to be “as spacious as a Golf and as inexpensive as a Polo” with a range of up to 280 miles and a starting price of around £25,000. All that plus some incredible practicality (with up to 1330 litres of space) in its five-door hatchback bodystyle, means the ID.2 will definitely be one to watch.

Fiat Grande Panda

On sale: spring

We love birthday presents and, as presents go for a 125 year old go, this new Grande Panda from Fiat has to be one of the best. Unveiled back in July to celebrate the Italian firm’s anniversary, the Grande Panda will arrive in showrooms in spring 2025 with all electric power for the first time.

But while it features a 44kWh battery and 195 mile range, the new Panda remains true to its predecessors with masses of practicality, clever storage and even a built-in spiral charging cable that extends from out of the bonnet. There are even bright retro colours too – red, white, black, green, brown, blue and yellow. Even better, at an expected £22,000, the Grande Panda is helping to bring new EV ownership to a lower price point too.

At Ohme we obviously focus on home-charging but we also recognise that you might have to use a public EV charger from time to time on longer journeys.

While the public charging network is growing and has improved massively in recent years, new regulations surrounding public EV charging come into force from later this month – 24 November – to improve it even further.

So how will these changes affect you when you next have to visit a public charger? Here’s our handy guide to the latest changes:

Contactless payments

Like paying for a coffee or your shopping, contactless payments are finally coming to public charging stations. All new charge points above 8kW and all existing rapid charge points above 50kW will have to offer contactless payments.

You can still charge using an existing app or RFID card if you wish, but all charge points will also have to offer contactless payments to make it easier for those without the corresponding app or having an existing account. And talking of payments…

Clear pricing

In the same way that the price of petrol or diesel is clearly displayed at filling stations, so the price of charging will need to be shown on chargers too.

Drivers will need to know exactly what they’re paying for their charge in pence per kWh and also if the price includes any connection fees as well.

Reliability

The operators of public charging points will have to ensure that any rapid charge points of 50kW and above maintain 99% reliability.

That means that a charger is more likely to be working when you arrive for a charge and that the operators will need to properly maintain them. To prove this, the operators will have to report reliability metrics to the Department for Transport starting from 2026 (for 2025).

24/7 helpline

The charge point operators will have to provide a free helpline phone number that is open 24/7 and not just available through an app. This will give customers access to immediate support in the event of a problem or a query.

Plus, in a similar way as the reliability figures, the operators will have to regularly report to the Department for Transport on the kind of complaints they received and also what solutions they provided to resolve them.

Taking a penalty

It would be easy to think that these regulations are largely toothless and that some operators of public charge points will ignore them, but think again.

If a charge point operator doesn’t comply with any of the above new changes, then the Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) can impose fines of up to £10,000 for each non-compliant charge point.

For larger charge point providers, that could soon add up, so they will have to comply. The only exceptions are government-owned organisations and some smaller businesses and charities.

The Paris Motor Show saw the unveiling of some superb new EVs, we pick our best five cars from the French capital.

Renault 4 E-Tech

The fab four is back. No, not John, Paul, George and Ringo, we mean the Renault 4. Not seen since 1992, the new Renault 4 E-tech continues the versatility and practicality of its predecessor and now adds EV tech too.

From the three-part lights to the side mouldings and rear quarter windows, there are lots of design cues making a nod to the original 4, which we love. The biggest one of those retro-touches is unquestionably the large electric canvas roof that’s 80x92cm and can open by voice control.

There’s plenty of substance behind the style too with a flat-folding passenger seat for extra long loads, a 420 litre boot with bag hooks and storage compartments as well as a choice of 40kWh or 52kWh batteries with up to a 250 mile range.

Peugeot E-408

Having had a plug-in hybrid version for some time, Peugeot’s 408 coupe now has an all-electric version in the form of this new E-408. It boasts the same sleek coupe looks as its petrol and PHEV stablemates, but now boasts a 58.2kWh battery with a range of up to 281 miles.

The E-408’s styling also boasts specific aerodynamic design for its bumpers and front air intake, underbody panels and lower rear panels giving it an excellent electricity efficiency of 4.09mls/kWh. And if the E-408 goes as well as it looks, then that certainly bodes well!

Renault Twingo E-Tech prototype

Do the best things come in small packages? We certainly think so, if this gorgeous new Renault Twingo is anything to go by. Echoing the styling of the 1992 original, it features cute semi-circle headlights and tail-lights and a shape exactly like the first Twingo. That retro-stying is also echoed in the round doorhandles and the glass roof as well, making this the perfect urban EV.

The bad news is that this Twingo E-Tech is still only a prototype at the moment, so we don’t know any more details about it. However, the good news is that Renault has promised it will go on sale in 2026 at less than £20,000. We can’t wait.

Renault R17 electric restomod

Completing the step back in time on Renault’s stand in Paris was this delightful R17 electric restomod. Based on the shape of the old Renault 17 launched in 1971, this is a new angle on an old car that we think is absolutely stunning.

From the same sharp angles and the triangular rear quarter panel, the R17 perfectly echoes the styling of the popular original in a design that Renault calls ‘retro-futuristic’ – more than 92,000 of the original Renault 17s were sold between 1971 and 1979. With an all-electric motor, it boasts 270bhp and we’d love it to follow the new Renault 4 above as well as the new Renault 5 into production.

Citroen Ami

Happy fourth birthday Citroen Ami! An amazing 65,000 people worldwide have bought a Citroen Ami since it arrived in 2020 and now it has had a mid-life refresh with a new look to the front, sharper lines and Lego-cube style wheel trims.

Also at Paris was the Ami Buggy Vision concept with no doors and a sunroof, hooks in the doors for two kite surfboards and a special luggage compartment for the kite sail. We’ve got a real soft spot for the Citroen Ami here at Ohme and love the fact that it exists with its 28mph top speed and 43 mile range. EV motoring comes in all shapes and sizes!