Do I Need Planning Permission for an EV Charger?

The planning rules for installing an electric vehicle charging point at home - when permitted development applies and the conditions to meet.

With the transition to electric vehicles accelerating, installing a home EV charger is one of the most practical improvements you can make. The planning rules are straightforward - in the vast majority of cases, you can install a charger under permitted development rights without planning permission.

Permitted Development Rules

Installing an electrical outlet or upstand for charging an electric vehicle within the curtilage of a house is permitted development provided:

• The charger or charging upstand faces a highway - it must not exceed 1.6 metres in height
• If not facing a highway - it must not exceed 2.3 metres in height
• The installation is within the curtilage of the house (i.e. on your property)
• The property is not a listed building or within the curtilage of a listed building

A standard wall-mounted EV charger (such as a Pod Point, Ohme, or Zappi) is typically around 300-500mm in size, mounted on an exterior wall at around 1 metre above ground. This easily falls within the PD limits.

What About a Charging Post?

A freestanding charging post (upstand) in your driveway is also permitted development, provided it meets the height limits above. Only one charging upstand is permitted per property under PD - if you want a second freestanding charger, you may need planning permission (though a second wall-mounted charger is generally fine as it is part of the house rather than a separate structure).

When Do You Need Planning Permission?

You need planning permission if:

• Your property is a listed building - you will also need listed building consent for any external alteration, including mounting a charger on the building
• You want to install a charging upstand exceeding the height limits
• You want more than one freestanding charging upstand
• You live in a flat and want to install in a shared car park (this requires the freeholder's consent and potentially planning permission depending on the impact)

Conservation Areas

The EV charger PD rules apply in conservation areas - there are no additional restrictions for EV chargers specifically in conservation areas under national PD. However, if an Article 4 Direction covers alterations to the external appearance of properties, you may need to check with your council.

Building Regulations

The electrical installation of an EV charger must comply with Part P of the building regulations (electrical safety in dwellings). In practice, this means the charger must be installed by a qualified electrician registered with a competent person scheme (NICEIC, NAPIT, etc.), who will self-certify the work.

Key technical requirements include:

• A dedicated circuit from the consumer unit (fuse box) to the charger
• Appropriate circuit protection (RCD and MCB)
• Earthing arrangements - particularly important if the charger is outdoors
• The charger must comply with BS 7671 (the Wiring Regulations) and IET guidance on EV charging

All OZEV-approved chargers (those eligible for government grants) meet these standards and come with certified installation.

Government Grants

The EV chargepoint grant (formerly EVHS - Electric Vehicle Homecharge Scheme) provides up to £350 towards the cost of installing a home charger. As of 2025, the grant is available to:

• Homeowners who live in a flat
• Homeowners in rented accommodation
• Landlords installing chargers for tenants

Homeowners who live in a house with off-street parking are no longer eligible for the grant (since June 2022), but the cost of installation has dropped significantly - a standard home charger installation typically costs £800-1,200 without the grant.

Costs

A 7kW charger will fully charge a typical electric car in 6-8 hours overnight - ideal for home use. Faster chargers (22kW) are available but may require a three-phase electricity supply, which most homes do not have.

Tips

1. Choose a smart charger - required for the government grant and allows you to schedule charging for cheaper overnight tariffs
2. Check your electricity supply - older properties with 60A main fuses may need an upgrade to handle a 7kW charger alongside other household loads
3. Position carefully - the cable from charger to car should reach comfortably without stretching across a pavement (a trip hazard and potential highway offence)
4. Consider solar - pairing an EV charger with solar panels can significantly reduce charging costs