Electric Vehicle Charging Points

Yes, as the council is the property owner you will require our permission. Permission is also required if you wish to claim for a contribution towards the cost of the installation through the Government backed Electric Vehicle Homecharge Scheme.

Yes, permission will only be granted if you already have a dropped kerb and hardstanding.

Permission will not be granted if you live in a flat because you need legal entitlement to a parking space and charging cables cannot be placed over public land, such as pavements, even temporarily.

This might sound obvious, but your car charger needs to be as close to where you normally park your car as possible.

The charger 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.

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.

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 charger unit and a clear photo of the installed charging point.

• Evidence of notification to the DBO (Distribution Network Operator)
• Evidence of Grade Cards
• Evidence of the contractor approved/qualified installer

In the event you want to remove the charger, the Government regulations compel you to remove the charging point "as soon as reasonably practicable" and reinstate the wall or patch of ground to its previous condition.

Under the Roads (Scotland) Act 1984, Part V Roads and Building Control and VIII Interference and Damage, it is not permitted to place apparatus, including a cable or wire over, along or across a public road (which includes the footway) without the consent of the roads authority. Having the cable trail from your home, across the pavement to your car will cause a safety hazard.

• Using public charging networks
• Charging at work
• Friends, family and charger-sharing
• Ask your Council for charging infrastructure in your area.