Having an electric vehicle charging point on your driveway not only banishes the fear of running out of juice on your way to work, it can boost your home’s desirability, too.
Even with Rishi Sunak changing gear on net zero by postponing the ban on new diesel and petrol vehicles to 2035, estate agents say a home charger is a sought-after feature among buyers and they see the addition of green features becoming even more popular in the future.
Electric vehicle (EV) charging points made it into agent Jackson-Stops’s top-ten must-haves for the first time this summer.
Desirable: Electric vehicle charging points made it into agent Jackson-Stops’s top-ten must-haves for the first time this summer
Rightmove, meanwhile, said the number of homes listed for sale that mentioned EV chargers was up 40 per cent on last year and 592 per cent since 2019.
In Rightmove’s Greener Homes report, Tim Bannister, director of property science, said that in an increasingly price-sensitive market, homes with green benefits will stand out from their neighbours.
‘There will come a time, not in the too distant future, when more buyers are queuing up for homes with electric charging points and good insulation, instead of seeking out Victorian open fireplaces,’ he says.
But the jury is still out on whether an EV charge point adds value to your property.
The National Association of Property Buyers estimates they add between £3,000 and £5,000 to your home’s price tag, whereas some estate agents say they have yet to see charge points drive up values.
Aside from convenience, there are other benefits to having your own charge point.
James McKemey, head of policy and public affairs at EV charging company Pod Point, says: ‘Using a dedicated charger instead of a standard three-pin plug is much safer and faster for charging your vehicle.
‘A standard domestic socket is only 13 amps, whereas we typically install a 32 amp/7kw charger, which is almost three times faster.
‘A dedicated charger could give you around 28 miles per hour of charging, a standard plug just nine.
‘There’s a safety consideration, too. Domestic 13-amp sockets aren’t made to run at full pelt for hours. It could also impact your wiring by overheating. We’ve seen a lot of burnt-out wiring.’
It’s also cheaper to charge your car at home than using a public charger. If you have smart charging features, you can charge your car when the rate is at its lowest which is usually during the night.
Chargers vary in price from about £300 to upwards of £1,000.
So what affects the price? Cheaper models are unlikely to have installation included, which could cost an extra £400 to £600. An electrician can install it for you or there are companies who specialise in EV points.
More expensive chargers will have features for homeowners who have solar panels.
‘Integrating a home charger with solar power could mean free charging for homeowners
David Martell, founder of charge point manufacturer Andersen EV, says: ‘Integrating a home charger with solar power could mean free charging for homeowners. Compared to using a three-pin plug, the cost of installing a solar-integrated EV charger is typically recouped within a year.’
Homeowners who live in a listed building need to obtain planning permission before attaching a point to the wall.
If you own a flat, rent a home or are a landlord and have off-street parking, you could be eligible for an EV charge point grant, which entitles you to £350 or 75 per cent off the cost to buy and install a socket, whichever is lower.
When you’re not using your charge point, you can make a small amount of money by renting it out. Mr Martell explains: ‘The EVIOS One home charger has pin access so you can loan out your driveway to EV users and know exactly how much to bill them.
‘Companies such as JustPark and Co Charger can help with community EV charging by matching drivers with chargers and you can set your own rate.’
