Electric Vehicles Are Booming — Is Your Home Ready?
With more Londoners switching to electric vehicles every month, home EV charger installations have become one of our most requested services at F & A Electrical. But there’s more to it than just mounting a box on your wall. Here’s everything you need to know about getting a home EV charger installed in 2026.
Planning Permission: Simpler Than Ever
Good news for homeowners in England — since May 2025, the government removed the planning permission requirement for almost all domestic EV charger installations. You can now install a charger on your driveway without needing to apply to the council in most cases.
There are a few conditions to be aware of. A wall-mounted charger must not exceed 0.2 cubic metres in volume. A stand-alone pedestal must not exceed 2.3 metres in height. The charger must be mounted at least 750mm above the ground, and the unit should not face a public highway or be within 2 metres of one.
If your property is listed or in a conservation area, additional rules may apply — get in touch and we can advise.
Building Regulations Still Apply
While planning permission is largely sorted, building regulations approval is always required for an EV charger installation. Installing a charger means creating a new electrical circuit, which is classified as notifiable work under Part P of the Building Regulations.
This means the work must either be carried out by an electrician registered with a competent person scheme (like NICEIC) who can self-certify the work, or be reported to your local building control body. At F & A Electrical, we’re NICEIC registered, so we can self-certify and provide you with a compliance certificate — saving you time and hassle.
Smart Charger Requirements
Under The Electric Vehicles (Smart Charge Points) Regulations 2021, all new home chargers in the UK must have smart functionality. This means your charger needs a Wi-Fi or mobile data connection at the installation location. Smart features allow you to schedule charging during off-peak electricity hours (typically overnight), monitor energy usage through an app, and respond to grid demand signals to help balance the national grid.
If your garage or driveway has poor Wi-Fi coverage, we may need to consider signal boosting or a charger with a built-in mobile data connection.
What Does It Cost?
A typical home EV charger installation in London costs between £800 and £1,200. This covers the charger unit itself, wall mounting and weatherproofing, cabling back to your consumer unit (fuse box), testing and commissioning, and your NICEIC compliance certificate.
The exact cost depends on the distance from your fuse box to the charging location, whether your consumer unit needs upgrading, the charger brand and model you choose, and any groundwork needed for cable routing.
We always provide a fixed quote after a survey — no hidden costs.
Are There Any Grants Available?
The original homeowner grant (EVHS) closed in April 2022. However, grants may still be available if you’re a landlord installing chargers for tenants, live in a flat or rental property (through the EV Infrastructure Grant), or are a business installing workplace chargers. We can help you check eligibility during your initial consultation.
Why Choose F & A Electrical for Your EV Charger?
We’re not just electricians — we’re EV charger specialists. Every installation is carried out to BS 7671 Amendment 4 (the latest wiring regulations). We’re NICEIC accredited, so your work is self-certified and covered. We carry £5 million public liability insurance, and we handle everything from survey to certification.
Ready to Get Plugged In?
Call us on 07407 627 542 or get a free quote for your home EV charger installation anywhere in London.
Related Services
Further Reading
Need help with your electrical project? Contact F & A Electrical for a free quote, or call us on 07500 721 453.