Although Dundee City Council’s public EV charging network is one of the most advanced in the UK, some EV drivers prefer the comfort and affordability of charging at home.
Keep reading if you’re looking for some guidance on installing a home charge point.
Who can install a home charge point?
Generally, electric vehicles can be charged at home in situations where properties have access to off-street parking. This is being provided for in new developments via planning policy. For existing housing, homeowners can consider the following:
- Installation of a charging point on their driveway/privately owned land.
- Joint installation on private car parks related to flatted properties – this will likely require discussion and agreement with all combined owners (normally through a central factor).
Applying for planning permission
Unfortunately, there is no definite answer as to who can install a home charge point. It is advised that householders contact the Planning team so that queries as to whether permission is required can be responded to on a case-by-case basis.
Please contact the Council's Planning Team to enquire as to whether planning permission and/or listed building consent is required for a proposed EV charging point. These queries should be directed to the Planning Team by emailing planning@dundeecity.gov.uk and including details of the proposed address, the proposed siting of the EV charging point and any details of the dimensions. Further information as to whether planning permission is required and how to submit a planning application can be found at the following webpage Make a Planning Application | Dundee City Council
Permission is also required if you wish to claim a contribution towards the cost of the installation through the Government backed EV Chargepoint Grant (if it reopens in the future).
Private on-street charging
Please note that residents living in a flat without access to a driveway will not be granted permission as you require legal entitlement to a parking space. Unless you have such entitlement, you cannot run a temporary or permanent cable over a public road or pavement, even with a cable cover or channel. This is because footways must be clear for pedestrians and people using wheelchairs and the cable would be dangerous for people with impaired vision or mobility issues and the owner would be held liable for any injury.
Under Section 109 of the New Roads and Street Works Act 1991 and Sections 56 and 90 of the Roads (Scotland) Act it is not permitted to place apparatus, including a cable or wire in, over, along or across a public road (which includes the footway) without the consent of the roads authority.
Council housing tenancy
If you are a Council Housing Tenant, please also firstly check with the Council Housing Office regarding the proposal to install an EV charging point at the property Housing Offices | Dundee City Council
What should be included in a planning application?
Please note that a copy of the Electrical Installation Certificate must be provided to the council on completion of works along with the make and model of the charge unit and a clear photo of the installed charge point. You must also supply the following documentation: Evidence of notification to the DNO (Distribution Network Operator), Evidence of Grade Cards and Evidence of the contractor approved/qualified installer.
If you need further guidance, please email planning@dundeecity.gov.uk
Can I apply for funding?
All current and future grants related to EVs and charge points are announced by Energy Saving Trust. You can register your interest in future funding schemes by submitting an interest notification on this website. If the funding reopens in the future, you will be contacted by the team.
What if I'm not able to install a home charger?
Not all homeowners will be able to install a charger on their property and will need to access charging locations away from their home. Therefore, purchasers of EVs who do not have access to off-street parking should base any decision to purchase an EV on availability and proximity to publicly and privately available charging locations.
There are a number of public electric vehicle charge points located throughout the city provided by both the Council and private sector operators in a range of locations. The locations of existing charge points can be found, along with other useful information on public charging on the Drive Dundee Electric website
Where should my charger be located?
There are a few rules that should be followed when planning on the charger placement:
Firstly, your car charger needs to be as close to where you normally park your car as possible. The charger also cannot face the highway or be within two metres of it.
You'll need an electricity supply to whichever location you choose, with a dedicated connection on your home's consumer unit to provide enough power. If the installed requires the consumer unit upgrading to accommodate the charging unit, you must contact the council for further advice.
Always check the length of cable that comes with the charger you're considering buying and make sure it will reach the charging point on your car. You don't want to be pulling the cable taught or parking your car at an angle to get it to plug in.
Finally, consider where the cable will be while the car is charging. Try to avoid having it trailing across an area where you walk regularly as it will be a trip hazard, particularly at night.
Who can complete the installation?
Your electric vehicle charging point must only be installed by a skilled person registered with a competent person's scheme. Charge point installations must have an RCD built into the unit.
The electrical supply of the final installation should allow the charging equipment to operate at full rated capacity. Where local supply constraints prevent operation at full rated capacity, the charging equipment shall be classified according to actual output capacity.
The charge point installers must also notify the relevant Distribution Network Operator (DNO) directly of the installation of a charge point. This is to minimised the change of power quality issues to electricity customers.
