Electric Vehicles

Yes. Because the council owns the property, you need our permission. You also need approval from Devon Highways.

It depends on the following:

What’s Allowed Without Planning Permission (Permitted Development):

Class D – Wall-mounted EV chargers

You can install, change, or replace an EV charging outlet on a wall within an area used for off-street parking, like a driveway or private car park.

But you can’t do this if:

• The outlet and its casing is bigger than 0.2 cubic metres.
• It’s on a scheduled monument.
• It’s within the grounds of a listed building.

Class E – Free-standing EV chargers (on upstands):

You can install, change, or replace a free-standing charger mounted on a post (upstand) in an area used for off-street parking.

You can also install:

• Equipment needed to operate the charger.
• A storage unit for that equipment.

But you can’t do this if:

The charger is:

• Taller than 1.6 metres in a residential area (like a house or block of flats).
• Taller than 2.7 metres in other areas.
• On a scheduled monument.
• Within the grounds of a listed building.
• There’s more than one charger per parking space.

The equipment isn’t stored in an approved housing unit.

There’s more than one equipment housing unit in a non-residential parking area.

The equipment housing unit:

• Is larger than 29 cubic metres.
• Is taller than 3 metres.
• Is less than 5 metres from a public road.
• Is less than 10 metres from a house or block of flats.
• Is on a scheduled monument.
• Is within the grounds of a listed building.

If you are unsure and require confirmation that your installation falls within permitted development you will need to contact the local Planning Authority who can issue you with a certificate of proposed lawful development. You will need to do this via a planning application and this will incur a fee.

Yes. You must already have a dropped kerb and a paved area to park on.

If you need to create a parking space, you’ll need permission from Devon Highways to lower the kerb and possibly strengthen the pavement. You might also need to move things like lamp posts or manhole covers.

If you want to run a cable across the pavement, you’ll need permission from the Highways Authority. If they don’t allow it, you’ll need to use a public charger instead.

Some companies offer permanent solutions for crossing pavements, but you’ll still need permission and possibly planning approval.

No. It’s against the law to run a cable across a public pavement because it’s a safety risk.

No. If you live in a flat, you can’t get permission because you don’t legally own a parking space and cables can’t go over public land.

Put the charger close to where you park your car. It must not face the road or be within two metres of it.

You’ll need a power supply connected directly to your home’s fuse box. If your fuse box needs upgrading, contact the council first.

Check the cable length before buying a charger to make sure it reaches your car easily. Avoid placing the cable where people walk, as it could be a trip hazard.

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 minimise the chance of power quality issues to electricity customers.

• Evidence of Devon Highways permission obtained
• Evidence of a certificate of proposed lawful development from the Planning Authority if the installation falls outside of permitted development

1. A copy of the Electrical Installation Certificate
2. The make and model of the charger
3. A clear photo of the installed charger
4. Proof that the DNO was notified

If you want to remove the charger, the Government regulations require you to remove the charging point as soon as possible and reinstate the wall or patch of ground to its previous condition.

• Using public charging networks
• Charging at work
• Friends, family and charger-sharing

• Fill out the Electric Car Charger Permission form
• Fill out the Hard Standing Permission form