Electric Vehicle Charging point installations at council properties

We understand that tenants will want to charge their electric cars from home. Below we have provided the answers to some frequently asked questions regarding installing charging points at your home.

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 want to claim a contribution towards the cost of the installation through the Government backed Electric Vehicle Homecharge Scheme.

If upgrades to existing equipment (consumer units etc.) are identified during the application process, these will be resolved via the repairs procedure. Tenants will be advised if these are chargeable repairs or not. Following installation of the EVCP, Property Services will, as part of the Fixed Electrical Testing Programme inspect the electrical installation every 5 years. If during these inspections Property Services discover sub-standard works or works that have not been notified, this information will be passed to the Local Housing Office for action. This may result in chargeable repair costs being passed to the tenant.

Do I have to have designated off street parking?

Yes, permission will only be granted if you already have a dropped kerb and hard standing.

What if I live in a flat?

Permission will not be granted if you live in a flat because you need legal entitlement to a parking space and charging cables cannot be placed over public land, such as pavements, even temporarily.

Where should I locate the charger?

Your car charger needs to be as close to where you normally park your car as possible. The charger cannot face the highway or be within two metres of it. You'll need an electricity supply to whichever location you choose, with a dedicated connection to 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.

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. You don't want to be pulling the cable taught or parking your car at an angle to get it to plug in.

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.

Who can install a charger?

Your electric vehicle charging point must only be installed by a skilled person registered with a competent person’s scheme. Charge point installations must have an RCD built into the unit.

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. This is to minimise the chance of power quality issues to electricity customers.

What documentation do I need to provide to the council prior to work?

• Evidence of Grade Cards
• Evidence of the contractor approved/qualified installer

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.

• Evidence of notification to the DNO (Distribution Network Operator)

What if I no longer want the charger?

If you want to remove the charger, the Government regulations require you to remove the charging point as soon as possible and reinstate the wall or patch of ground to its previous condition.

Is it legal to run a charging cable across the pavement?

It's illegal for any person to place or run a cable or wire along or across a public highway under the Highways Act 1980, Part IX Lawful and Unlawful Interference with Highways and Streets. Having the cable trail from your home, across the pavement to your car will cause a safety hazard.

How do you charge an electric car if unable to install one at home?

• Using public charging networks
• Charging at work
• Friends, family and charger-sharing