Off-street parking and cable runs
A home charge point needs somewhere to park off the road, such as a driveway, garage or private parking space. The installer will look at where the charger can go, how the cable will run from your consumer unit and whether trenching or wall drilling is needed. Trailing a charging cable across a public pavement isn't something to do without checking with the highway authority, which is Kent County Council in most of Kent and Medway Council in Medway. If you rent or live in a flat, you'll usually need the landlord's or freeholder's permission.
Smart charge point rules
Since 30 June 2022, charge points sold for home use in Great Britain have had to meet the Electric Vehicles (Smart Charge Points) Regulations. In practice that means they can connect to the internet, respond to signals to change when or how fast they charge, and come with default off-peak charging hours that you can change. They also include a randomised delay at the start of charging. These features help with cheaper overnight tariffs and with managing demand on the local network, so ask installers how the app and tariff settings work.
Wiring, your supply and using solar
A charge point usually needs a new dedicated circuit, which is notifiable electrical work under Building Regulations, so use an installer registered with a competent person scheme who can certify it. They should check your main fuse and total demand, and may fit load management so the charger slows down when the house is busy. The network operator also needs to be told about new charge points. If you have solar panels, some chargers can divert surplus generation into the car, which is worth asking about if you're home during the day.
Jobs we can find a solar and battery installer for
- Smart home charge points
- Tethered and untethered chargers
- Load management and supply checks
- Solar-diverting chargers
- Driveway and garage installations
- Electrical certificates and notifications
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