Electric Vehicle Charging Points 

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EV charge points 

Purchase cost
The upfront purchase cost of an electric vehicle (EV) is normally higher. 

The running cost
The running cost is considerably lower. This is due to the lower cost of electricity in comparison to petrol or diesel. Recharging at home overnight will normally will render the greatest savings especially if you have economy 7, your electricity provider will be able to provide this information.

The locations of the electric vehicle charging point 
Charge points are predominately installed in homes with: 
  • A garage or driveway 
  • At your place of work
  • On residential streets
  • In & around town centres
  • In public car parks 
  • Shopping centres 
Motorway service area.
The types of charge points
They can vary from slow, fast & rapid.
1.Rapid charge points take around 30 minutes. 
2.Fast charge points can take a few hours.
3.Slow charge points are well suited to overnight charging. 

The the vast majority of cases charging will take place at home, often overnight. 
If you have a driveway or garage, the most suitable & inexpensive way is to install a dedicated charge point

EV charge point glossary of terms

  • Charging equipment for Modes 1, 2 and 3

    Mode 1 charging

     In Mode 1 charging, connection of the electric to the AC supply network utilizes standardized socket-outlets not exceeding 16 A and not exceeding 250 V AC single-phase or 480 V AC three-phase, at the supply side, and utilizing the power and protective earth conductors (according to BS EN 61851-1).


    Mode 2 charging

    Mode 2 charging describes the minimal charging solution for single-phase domestic socket-outlets. It provides charging current of 10A or less. In mode 2 charging, connection of the EV to the AC supply network utilizes standardized socket-outlets not exceeding 32A and not Exceeding 250V AC single-phase or 480V AC three-phase, at the supply side, and utilizes the power and protective earth conductors together with a control pilot function and system of personnel protective against electric shock (BS ES 62752) between the EV and the in-cable control box (ICCB).


    Mode 3 charging

    In Mode 3 charging, connection of the EV to the AC supply network utilizes dedicated EVSE where the control pilot function extends to control equipment in the EVSE, permanently connected to the AC supply network. The EVSE may be supplied from a three-phase AC supply and will often incorporate BS EN 62196-2 Type 2 Plugs where tethered cables are not used.


  • Client

    In the context of this Code of Practice, ‘client’ means the designated representative of this person, company or body that has requested the electric vechicle charging equipment installation.

  • Competent person

    In the context of the Code of Practice, ‘competent person’ means a person who processes sufficient technical knowledge, relevant practical skills and experience for the nature of the electrical work undertaken and who is able, at all times, to prevent danger and, where appropriate, injury to him/herself and others.


  • Electric vehicle charging point

    The point where the electric vehicle is connected to the fixed installation. 


    Note: The charging point is a socket-outlet where the charging cable belongs to the vehicle, or a connector where the charging cable is a fixed part of the electric vehicle supply equipment.



  • Exposed-conductive-part

    Conductive part of equipment that can be touched and that is not normally live, but can become live under fault conditions. For the further guidance, refer to the BS 7671 and IET Guidance Notes 1,3,5 and 8.

  • Extraneous-conductive-part

    Conductive part liable to introduce a potential, generally Earth potential,  and not forming part of the electrical installation. For further guidance, refer to BS 7671 and IET Guidance Notes 1, 3, 5 and 8.

  • DNO

    Distribution network operator

  • Electric Vehicle

    In the context of the Code of Practice, ‘electric vehicle’ covers all electrically propelled road vehicles with four or more wheels that are capable of accepting electrical charge from a source external to the vehicle, including pure electric vehicles, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV) and extended-range electric vehicles (E-REV).

  • EV

    Electric vehicle

  • E-REV

  • EVSE

    Electric vehicle supply equipment

  • GPRS

    .GPRS-

    General Packet radio service


  • ICCB

  • PHEV

    PHEV-

    Plug-in hybrid electric vehicle


  • PME

  • RCBO

  • RCCB

    RCCB-

    Residual-current-operated circuit breaker without integral overcurrent protection


  • RCD

    RCD- 

    Residual current device


  • RFID

    Radio frequency identification deviceRFID-Radio frequency identification deviceRadio frequency identification device

    Radio frequency identification device


  • Time-of-use tariffs

    Time-of-use tariffs-

    Time-of-use tariffs implement a pricing strategy where the supplier of electricity may vary the price depending on the time of day that the electricity is delivered.


  • TMO

    TMO-

    Traffic management order


  • Vehicle connector

    Part of a vehicle coupler integral with or intended to be attached to the flexible cable connected to the AC supply network (mains).


  • Vehicle couple

    Means of enabling the manual connection of a flexible cable to an electric for the purpose of charging.


    Note: A vehicle coupler consists of two parts: a vehicle connector and a vehicle inlet.