Charging for renters

Living in a rented property or a flat shouldn’t be a barrier to owning an electric vehicle. While it can be more challenging than for homeowners with driveways, there are several dedicated grants and innovative solutions designed specifically for renters and those without private off-street parking.

1. EV Chargepoint Grant for Renters

The UK government provides a grant to help renters and flat owners install a home charger.

  • Support: Up to 75% of the cost of a chargepoint and its installation, capped at £350.
  • Eligibility: You must live in a rental property or own a flat, and have a dedicated off-street parking space.
  • The Process: You must get permission from your landlord before the work can begin.

2. Dealing with Landlords

If you want to install a charger in a rented home:

  1. Emphasize Property Value: Explain that having an EV charger makes the property more attractive to future tenants and increases its value.
  2. Highlight the Grant: Remind the landlord that they can also apply for the EV Infrastructure Grant, which provides up to £30,000 for installing multiple chargers in a building or car park.
  3. Right to Charge: While there is no universal “right to charge” in UK law yet, the government is increasingly encouraging landlords to be supportive of EV infrastructure.

3. Solutions for On-street Parking

If you do not have a driveway or dedicated parking space:

  • On-Street Residential Chargepoint Scheme (ORCS): This is a government grant for local councils to install chargers on residential streets. You can contact your local council to request that they install a charger near your home.
  • Lamppost Charging: Many cities (like London and Brighton) are installing chargers inside existing lampposts. These are convenient and don’t take up any extra pavement space.
  • Community Charging: Services like Co-Charger allow you to “rent” a neighbor’s private driveway and charger. This is often cheaper than public rapid charging and provides a guaranteed spot.
  • Cable Gullies: Some councils allow you to install a small channel in the pavement (a gully) that allows you to safely run a cable from your house to the car without creating a trip hazard.

4. Public Hubs and Supermarkets

For many renters, the best solution is a weekly “big charge” at a local rapid charging hub or while doing the weekly shop.

  • Modern EVs can often add 200+ miles of range in just 20-30 minutes, making it possible to rely entirely on public infrastructure if a charger is located conveniently near your home or work.

The Law: Since 2022, all new residential buildings (and those undergoing major renovation) with associated parking must have at least one EV chargepoint.