Electric vehicle charging

The following guidance aims to help householders in the installation of electric vehicle chargers through explaining the costs, types of chargers, and permissions required.

What is an electric vehicle charger?

A domestic electric vehicle (EV) charger allows the user to charge their electric car from home, allowing for easy and convenient charging. These may come in the form of an electric vehicle charging point attached to a house or an electric vehicle charging point attached to an upstand. The installation of these can be achieved using permitted development rights, provided certain limits are met.

On-street vs off-street installation

The planning rules for installing charge points will depend on whether the dwelling has off-street parking or on-street parking. If you have off-street parking, you will likely be able to install a home charger under permitted development rights, this may change if you live in a conservation area or listed building.

Permitted development rights do not extend to on-street parking, in these circumstances you will be required to apply for planning permission.

Please note: If you use on-street parking you should not trail a cable across the pavement. If you do, then you may be liable for any issues or injuries which are caused. Trailing a cable across the pavement without permission is an offence as it breaches the Highways Act 1980 Section 162¹ and Section 178.²

If you need to trail a cable across a pavement then you may be able to apply to the relevant Highways Authority who may grant permission with conditions attached. If this is not an option, or permission is not granted, it is recommended that you attempt to find an alternative such as a public charging facility.

Some providers are now offering permanent pavement crossing solutions, but again, permission from the Highways Authority will be required, and you may require  separate planning permission for the pavement crossing solution. 

Cost and grants

The cost of installing an electric vehicle charging point will vary depending on the make and model you choose. Reasearch suggests that installation costs range between £450 for a basic model, increasing to around £1,200 as the power and capabilities increase. Financial help and grants may be available for the purchase and installation of charging points. A list of grant schemes for electric vehicle charging infrastructure is available on the government website.³

Building regulations

Building regulations approval is required in all cases, this may be achieved through the use of a competent person or local building control body. If the work is not done by a person registered with the competent person scheme, then the relevant building control authority must be notified of the work.

More information is available in the following sections to help with any application which may be required, use the left hand menu to find out more.

1. https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1980/66/section/162
2. https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1980/66/section/178
3. https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/government-grants-for-low-emission-vehicles