Can I Have an EV Charger?

For the majority of homeowners with a driveway or garage, a dedicated EV charger is straightforward to install. The main requirements are a suitable mounting surface within a reasonable cable distance of your consumer unit, a consumer unit with capacity for an additional circuit, and an adequate electrical supply.

Most modern properties meet these requirements without additional work. Older properties may need some attention — for example, a consumer unit upgrade if the existing board is non-compliant or has no spare capacity, or an earthing upgrade if the earthing arrangement does not meet current standards.

The exact requirements can generally be assessed from photographs of your consumer unit, meter, and proposed charger position. In most cases, a site visit is not needed before a quotation can be issued.

Tenants in England have the right to request permission from their landlord to install an EV charger. The landlord cannot unreasonably refuse if the property has off-street parking, though they may impose reasonable conditions.

In practice, most landlords are willing to agree to an EV charger installation because it adds value to the property. You will typically need written permission before installation can proceed. We can provide documentation to support your request to your landlord if required.

If you are in a rental property, you should also consider what happens if you move — the charger will generally remain with the property unless your agreement states otherwise.

Flat owners and leaseholders face the most complex situation. If your flat has a dedicated parking space, a charger can in many cases be installed at that space — but it typically requires the consent of the freeholder or management company, and may require the cooperation of the building's managing agent.

Some leases restrict the ability to make alterations to common areas, which may include the car park. However, government legislation has strengthened the rights of leaseholders to install EV chargers in some circumstances.

A shared electrical supply in a communal car park also raises questions about how the electricity is metered and charged for. These arrangements need to be agreed before installation. We can advise on the technical aspects, but legal and lease questions should be addressed with your solicitor or managing agent.

Listed buildings and properties in conservation areas may be subject to restrictions on external alterations. In many cases, an EV charger can still be installed — but the position, colour, and method of cable installation may need to be agreed with the local planning authority.

A listed building consent application may be required for some works. We can advise on the installation itself, but planning and consent matters should be confirmed with your local authority before committing to an installation.

The electrical supply to your property needs to be adequate to support an EV charger running alongside your other appliances. For a typical home with a 100A main fuse, there is almost always sufficient capacity for a 7.4kW home charger — the charger typically draws around 32A, and domestic supplies rarely approach their limit under normal conditions.

Smaller properties or older properties with a 60A or 80A main fuse may need to be assessed more carefully. Where supply capacity is marginal, a load management device can allow a charger to be installed safely by automatically reducing the charger's output if other large appliances are in use at the same time.

An assessment of your electrical supply can be carried out from photographs of your meter and consumer unit. If the position is borderline, we will advise you accordingly before quoting.