EV charger installation requirements in the UK

Unfortunately, installing a home EV charger in the UK isn’t as straightforward as plugging in a new appliance. In truth, EV charger installation involves navigating important requirements and permissions to ensure the setup is safe, efficient, and compliant with regulations.

Don’t worry, though. Today, we clarify the EV charger installation process. In our go-to, comprehensive guide, we detail how to get an EV charger, what is required to install an electric car charger, and answer your frequently asked questions.

Can I have an EV charger installed at home?

If you have an electric car, you can have an EV charger installed at home. Whether you have on-street or off-street parking, EV charger installation is possible. However, they might be slightly different. On-street EV charger installation, for example, will require additional infrastructure.

The typical EV charger installed at home is 7kW. That said, 3kW, 11kW, and 22kW electric car chargers are also available for installation. But the higher the kW, the more expensive the installation is. Why? Because unfortunately, additional work is required.

EV charger installation requirements breakdown:

Property ownership or landlord permission

To install an EV charge point at home, you must either own your property or gain permission from your landlord if you are renting. Landlord permission must be obtained before the installation commences – not during.

Off-street parking or adequate on-street parking

Getting an electric car charger installed at home is easy if you have off-street parking, as you don’t require council permissions.

On the other hand, while getting an EV home charger without off-street parking is possible, the process is much more difficult. First, local planning and highway authorities must deem your on-street parking adequate. You must also install a cross-pavement charging solution before installation and ensure you have permission from your local planning and highway authorities to do so. Coveted solutions include Kerbo Charge and ChargeArm.

A cross-pavement charging solution can raise the cost of installing a home EV charger. But, the Electric Vehicle Chargepoint Grant for Households with On-Street Parking is now available. With the grant, you can get 75% off the cost to buy and install a home charger, up to a maximum of £350. If you cannot get approval from your council, you may have to rely on public charging points.

However, it’s not all bad news. While EV drivers with on-street parking after a home EV charger still need to apply for planning permission, the rules have changed in your favour. Now, you can install an EV charger within two meters of public highway – something that was not allowed previously.

Wi-Fi or 4G connection

You must have an adequate Wi-Fi or mobile connection at the location where the electric car charger is installed. A Wi-Fi or mobile connection ensures that your charger can access smart features and complies with The Electric Vehicles (Smart Charge Points) Regulations 2021.

Smart features keep a chargepoint safe from cyber-attacks. What’s more, they let electric vehicles charge when demand on the grid is low. Or when clean electricity is available.

Approved EV Charger Installers

When getting an EV charger installed at home, you should ensure you use a trusted and fully qualified electrician. Choosing an OZEV-approved installer is a safe choice. This ensures they follow all the required safety regulations, and they will also be able to claim the grant on your behalf if you are eligible for one.

On top of this, make sure your installer is registered with a competent person’s scheme.

One thing is for certain – do not attempt to install an EV charger yourself.

Suitable electricity supply for EV charger installation

A typical home EV charger is rated at 7kW, and you must have a power supply that is large enough for the EV to operate at its rated capacity.

As part of the installation process, your local Distribution Network Operator (DNO) must grant you approval to install a charger. As part of the approval process, the DNO will assess whether your power supply is sufficient for an EV charger. If it is insufficient, they may need to come to your property and upgrade your supply before the installation.

The DNO will also check whether your electricity supply is looped before they approve. A looped supply is when your electricity supply comes in via your neighbour’s home. Although this is safe, a looped supply may struggle to handle the demands of fast electric charging. As such, the DNO may need to unloop the supply before the installation can commence.

Upgrading or unlooping your supply may, unfortunately, add delays to your charger installation, as this usually has to be done before the installation can commence.

If you want an 11kW or 22kW charger installed at your home, you must upgrade your electricity supply from single phase to three-phase. Your DNO would undertake this upgrade, which can cost thousands and take many months.

Choosing a suitable location for your home charge point

Carefully consider where you want your home EV charger installed. In the right place, the installation will work out cheaper in the long run. Why? Because you should have no accessibility issues after installation.

First, your charger should be installed as close to your electric meter as possible. Secondly, the charger needs to be connected to your main electrical fuse, which is located in your meter box. Why do you need to do this? If your EV charger is installed near your electric meter, the cable run is shorter, and, in turn, makes the EV charger installation more cost-effective and efficient.

Although we include up to 10m of cabling in our standard installation, keeping the cable run as short as possible is best. For one, a shorter cable makes the installation look more aesthetically pleasing, as you won’t have lots of visible cabling clipped to your property.

When hunting for the perfect spot for your EV charger, keep the following in mind:

•  Ensure you position your charger in an area with good WIFI or mobile connectivity.
• Consider where you park your vehicle and ensure the charger is as close to that location as possible. This makes it easy to plug in without needing a long charging cable, which could lead to a tripping hazard.
• Decide whether to mount your charger on a wall or a post. Installation of a post will come at an extra cost, but may be required if there is no suitable wall near where you park your vehicle. Note, you shouldn’t mount your charger on a fence or temporary structure, as this can be dangerous.

As mentioned earlier, previously, EV chargers couldn’t be within two metres of the highway. These rules have been relaxed now to help boost EV charging infrastructure.

EV charger height restrictions in the UK

Certain legal requirements regarding the positioning of your home charger, especially EV charger height, need to be followed, too:

• The EV charger must be securely fixed at a height between 0.75 and 1.2 metres from the ground to ensure it can’t be hit by a vehicle.
• Charge points cannot be installed within 2.5 metres of a SIM touch. A “SIM touch” refers to a metal object connected to a power supply, such as an outdoor light in a metal case.

An EV charging station that complies with new regulations

The home charger you are getting installed must comply with The Electric Vehicles (Smart Charge Points) Regulations 2021. Additionally, the electric car charging port must also have an RCD built into the unit and meet the applicable minimum IP ratings set out in BS EN 61851-1:2019 and BS 7671:2018.

Moreover, the exterior casing of the charger cannot be larger than 0.2 cubic metres.

Our market-leading chargers comply with all home EV charger installation regulations, giving you complete peace of mind.

Building regulations & electrical safety standards

Several safety standards are set out by the Office for Zero Emission Vehicles (OZEV). Your EV charger installer must comply with these standards.

Here are the current EV charger installation requirements:

• BS EN 61851
• The current edition of the IET Wiring Regulations – currently BS 7671
• The recommendations of the IET Code of Practice for Electric Vehicle Charging Equipment Installations (as amended)
• The Electricity Safety, Quality and Continuity Regulations 2002
• The installation should consider the requirements of BS 8300 and the requirements of disabled people.

Summary of installation requirements

Installing a home EV charging point requires careful thought. You must consider several key requirements and ensure the setup is safe, efficient, and follows regulations.

Here’s a quick overview of the core electric car charger installation requirements:

• Property Ownership or Landlord Permission: You must own the property or have permission from your landlord before proceeding with the installation.
• Parking: The installation process is straightforward for homeowners with off-street parking. Those without must navigate additional steps, including local authority permissions and installing a cross-pavement charging solution.
• Connectivity: A stable Wi-Fi or 4G connection at the installation site is essential to enable smart charging features.
• Approved Contractors: Use a qualified installer, preferably one approved by OZEV, to ensure safety standards are met and to access available grants.
• Electricity Supply: Your home’s power supply must support the charger’s capacity, which may require a potential upgrade by your Distribution Network Operator (DNO). A three-phase electricity supply may be necessary for higher-capacity chargers.
• Installation Location: The charger should be installed near your electric meter for cost-effectiveness and accessibility.

Following these guidelines will help make the installation process smooth, safe, and efficient.

In need of an EV charger and EV charger installation?

Choosing an OZEV-approved installer such as We Power Your Car is essential to ensure you have peace of mind that your installation meets all the home EV charger installation requirements – ensuring a safe, straightforward installation. Our DBS-checked, experienced and accredited expert EV charger installers are far and wide, spanning nationwide. Plus, with close ties to leading EV charger manufacturers, we offer a wide range of EV chargers to find your best fit. Trust us for your EV charger installation, and have the proceeded managed entirely on your behalf. That includes charger choice, DNO application, any grant paperwork and installation.

If you are looking to get an EV charger and EV charger installation at your home, click below to get your free quote, or contact us for more information or any queries you may have.

Don’t forget to browse our line-up of the best home electric car chargers.

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