Thinking of buying an electric vehicle?
Electric vehicles (EVs) are a great step toward a greener future, but before you commit, it’s important to check whether home charging is possible and practical for your property.
Installing a charger isn’t always straightforward, and there’s no automatic right to have one. Here are a few things you might need to consider:
Can you charge at home?
1. Your electricity supply
Some homes don’t have enough electrical capacity to support an EV charger. Upgrading can be costly or even unavailable in some areas.
2. Your parking setup
If you don’t have off-street parking (like a driveway), installing a charger may not be practical. Parking spaces far from your home can also make installation difficult.
3. Shared or communal parking
If your space is in a shared area, installing a personal charger may not be allowed. Communal chargers require agreement from neighbours or managing agents and may reduce available parking.
4. Planning permission and property restrictions
Living in a listed building, conservation area, or leasehold property may mean you need special permission. There may also be legal restrictions tied to your property.
5. Costs and ongoing considerations
Installation costs vary depending on location and infrastructure. Don’t forget to factor in electricity usage and maintenance over time.
What if home charging isn’t possible?
Public charging points are an option, but they may not always be nearby or available when you need them. Relying solely on public chargers might not suit every lifestyle or driving habit.
Recommended next steps
Before buying an EV, please reach out and speak to a member of our team. We can help you understand whether installing a charger is possible at your home and what your options are.
The government offers helpful advice on this in the Public Charge Point Regulations 2023 guidance 
—especially the second paragraph under the “Background” section which outlines what is recommended if home charging isn’t possible.
Our commitment to the future
At SNG, we’re always exploring new technologies as well as safe and practical solutions to support EV charging - especially for homes without off-street parking. As technology evolves, we’ll continue expanding our approach to make charging more accessible for our customers.