Frequently asked questions
Answers to the most frequently asked questions about EV Charging
1. Can I charge my EV from my property even if I don’t have a driveway?
If you do not have access to off-street parking then you will need to charge your vehicle using a public charge point. If you live in a property with no driveway or access to off-street parking, you cannot:
- run a cable across a public footpath at any height, on the ground or under the ground
- install a private (or reserved) charging point on a public footpath or highway.
We regularly review these rules to balance the need for charging, the importance of public safety, and the visual appearance of the street.
Please refer to the ‘Cross Pavement Solutions’ section on the Current Project page to gain an update on cross pavement channel solutions and how this could potentially benefit you to charge your electric vehicle from home if you do not have access to off-street parking.
4. Where is my nearest public charge point?
To find your nearest public charge point, visit Zap Map
6. How long will it take me to charge an EV?
Use the calculation below as quick guide to calculate your charging time and read through some of the examples.
Battery size ÷ charging speed = approximate time to charge.
Example 1
John drives an EV with a 50 kWh battery, he uses his home 7kW charger overnight to charge his car which takes approximately 7 hours to charge.
50 kWh battery ÷ 7kW home charger = approx 7 hours to charge
Example 2
Hayley drives an EV with a 90 kWh battery, she uses a 150 kW rapid charger at the motorway services en route to a work conference. It takes Hayley approximately 36 minutes to fully charge her car.
90 kWh battery ÷ 150 kW rapid charger = 0.6 (equates to 36 minutes)
7. Do I need planning permission to install a home EV charger?
The planning rules for installing charge points will depend on whether the dwelling has access to off-street parking or on-street parking.
If you have off-street parking, you will likely be able to install a home charge under permitted development rights, this may change if you live in a conservation area or a listed building.
Permitted development rights do not extend to on-street parking, in the circumstances you will be required to apply for planning permission.
For full details on planning permission for home EV charges, please visit: Electric vehicle chargers – Electric vehicle charging – Planning Portal
8. How far can I travel on a full charge?
Modern EVs generally have a range of 200 or more miles, some are even capable of over 300 miles. Longer journeys are therefore practical and the motorway network is well served by rapid chargers, with growing numbers of dedicated rapid charging hubs available beyond the motorway network too.
9. What is the life expectancy of an EV battery?
Most manufacturers offer at least an 8 year or 100,000 mile battery warranty. The RAC highlights that some EV drivers have easily driven 200,000 miles on their original battery – a lifespan not dissimilar to a petrol or diesel engine.
10. How do I pay to charge my EV on the public network (not at home)?
Slow and standard speed charge points generally offer payment via the charge point operators app or through an RFID card. Some fast chargers and all rapid and ultra rapid chargers will allow contactless payments to be made. From November 2024, any charge point installed above 8kW must give users the option to pay via a contactless payment method.
