Electric vehicle charging points
Electric vehicle charging points make it easy for eco-friendly drivers to charge electric cars whilst they are on the go.
We understand that tenants may want to charge their electric cars from home and have provided some guidance on installing charging points.
Do I need permission to have an electric vehicle charger?
Yes, as the council is the property owner you will require our permission.
Permission is also required if you wish to claim for a contribution towards the cost of the installation through the Government’s Electric Vehicle Chargepoint Grant or Motability Scheme. You do not need planning permission to locate a charger for off street parking unless the property is a listed building.
Do I have to have designated off street parking?
Yes, permission will only be granted if you already have a dropped kerb and hardstanding or driveway, which is for your household’s exclusive use.
Can I get permission if I use residents shared parking?
Permission is unlikely to be granted if you park in a residents shared parking area or on the street, because you need legal entitlement to a designated parking space. Charging cables cannot be placed over public land, such as pavements, even temporarily. However, these will be considered on a case-by-case basis subject to the proposals and risk assessment. Where grant funding is accessed to install a charging point to on-street or shared parking, permission may be granted where any cross-pavement solution does not present risks to other residents. In cases where a charging solution is installed in shared or on street parking, the Council cannot guarantee you access to the specific parking space. You therefore may not have constant access to the charge point.
What financial help can I get with the cost of installing a home EV Charger?
The Council cannot pay for home EV charging installations, install charging facilities for you or contribute to any additional costs of installing a government funded home charging solution.
There are government schemes that can help with the costs involved in some circumstances, for example through the Motability scheme or Electric Vehicle Chargepoint Grants. In most cases, additional costs will arise that you would be responsible for, so it is important you are clear on what the costs are before going ahead.
Where should I locate the charger?
This might sound obvious, but your car charger needs to be as close to where you normally park your car as possible. You’ll need an electricity supply to whichever location you choose, with a dedicated connection on your home’s consumer unit to provide enough power.
If the installer requires the consumer unit upgrading to accommodate the charging unit, you must contact the council for further advice and will be responsible for the cost of any upgrades.
Always check the length of cable that comes with the charger you’re considering buying, and make sure it will reach the charging point on your car.
Finally, consider where the cable will be while the car is charging. Try to avoid having it trailing across an area where you walk regularly as it will be a trip hazard, particularly at night.
Is there a size restriction for the charger?
Yes, the charger cannot be larger than 0.2 cubic metres which if it is a box, it would be 20cm x 20cm x 20cm.
Who can install a charger?
Your electric vehicle charging point must only be installed by a skilled person registered with a competent persons scheme and authorised by OZEV. Charge point installations must have an RCD built into the unit and be installed in accordance with:
- Building Regulations Part P (Electrical Safety – Dwellings)
- Minimum IP ratings set out in BS EN 61851-1:2019 and BS 7671:2018 according to the usage location.
- BS EN 61851-1:2019
- BS 8300:2009+A1:2010 and the requirements of disabled people.
- The current edition of the IET Wiring Regulations – currently BS 7671:2018+A1:2020
- The recommendations of the IET Code of Practice for Electric Vehicle Charging Equipment Installations (as amended)
- The Electricity Safety, Quality and Continuity Regulations.
The electrical supply of the final installation should allow the charging equipment to operate at full rated capacity. Where local supply constraints prevent operation at full rated capacity, the charging equipment shall be classified according to actual output capacity.
The charge point installers must also notify the relevant Distribution Network Operator (DNO) directly of the installation of a charge point. Full guidance for the electric vehicle connection process can be found on the Energy Networks Association (ENA) website. This is to minimise the chance of power quality issues to electricity customers.
What documentation do I need to provide to the council on completion of work?
A copy of the Electrical Installation Certificate must be provided to the council on completion of works along with the make and model of the charger unit and a clear photo of the installed charging point.
What if I no longer want the charger?
In the event you want to remove the charger, the Government regulations compel you to remove the charging point “as soon as reasonably practicable” and reinstate the wall or patch of ground to its previous condition.