Charge! New homes set to have compulsory car-charging points

All new-build homes could soon be fitted with an electric car charging point.

The government has issued a consultation on the move, alongside other initiatives to support electric vehicle drivers and improve the experience of charging.

The proposals aim to support and encourage the growing uptake of electric vehicles within the UK by ensuring that all new homes with a dedicated car parking space are built with an electric charge point, making charging easier, cheaper and more convenient for drivers.

If the consultation leads to legislation, as expected, this would be a world first and is part of the government’s £1.5 billion Road To Zero strategy. 

Transport Secretary Chris Grayling says: “Home charging provides the most convenient and low-cost option for consumers – you can simply plug your car in to charge overnight as you would a mobile phone.

“The government has already taken steps to ensure that existing homes are electric vehicle ready by providing up to £500 off the costs of installing a charge point at home.”

A consultation is also underway to assess whether all new private home charge points could use automatic smart technology, meaning an electric vehicle would charge at different times of the day in response to signals, such as electricity tariff information. 

This would encourage off-peak charging, keeping costs down for consumers.