Although finding an EV charge point is a lot easier today than it was 10 years ago, some drivers are still hesitant to make the switch to electric.
The government has taken many steps to incentivise Britons to adopt greener driving habits. Most recently, the government introduced new legislation that will require all new homes and offices to have EV charge points. The new legislation is another step taken by the government to achieve its emissions target of net-zero by 2050.
So, how will the new legislation affect you? Below we consider what the new legislation is and how it could benefit you.
What Does the New Legislation Mean?
The new legislation has changed building regulations and will affect all new-build residential and commercial properties from 2022 onwards. All new home and office planning applications will then have to include smart EV charge points to be approved.
New apartment buildings will fall into the category of ‘new builds’ and will also have to comply with the new legislation. This will allow EV drivers who are renting apartments to take advantage of the benefits of EV driving, too, with on-street EV charging points.
The new legislation will not affect older homes, but homeowners should strongly consider investing in home EV charge point installation. Installing a home wallbox charger can increase the value of your property and can help you save on electricity costs too.
How Much Does EV Charge Point Installation Cost?
If you are planning to build your own home or office, you could be concerned about the cost of EV charge point installation.
Some property owners are concerned that the new legislation could increase their building costs. However, the government has introduced different grants to make EV charge point installation affordable for residential and commercial property owners.
The Electric Vehicle Homecharge Scheme (EVHS) and the Workplace Charging Schemes (WCS) are government grants provided by the Office For Low Emission Vehicles (OLEV).
Homeowners can receive up to £350 for a single EV charge point installation. Workplaces, on the other hand, can receive £300 per installation of up to 20 workplace EV charge points.
How Much Does EV Charging Cost?
The price of your EV charging will depend on factors such as the type of vehicle you drive, when you charge your vehicle, and which charging method you use.
On average, electricity in the UK costs roughly 17p per kilowatt-hour (kWh). You should multiply the kWh by your vehicle’s battery capacity to gauge the cost of recharging. For example, charging a Nissan Leaf with a 40kWh battery would cost about £6.80.
You can also reduce the cost of charging by charging during off-peak hours or investing in solar panel installation. Powering your charges with solar power will reduce your carbon footprint while saving you money too.
Why Choose Applegarth for Your EV Charge Point Installation Needs?
To receive an OLEV grant, your EV charge point must be installed by an OLEV approved installation company. The government only allows OLEV approved installers to assist with grant applications. The OLEV grant eligibility requirements mean that you should prioritise finding an OLEV approved installation company near you to increase your chances of receiving funding.
Applegarth is an OLEV approved installation company. We have been providing renewable energy solutions, including solar panel and EV charge point installations, since 2006. Our skilled technicians can provide high-quality home or workplace EV charge point installations that meet legislative standards.
Whether you’re building a new property or want to upgrade your existing property with EV charge point installation, we can help. Call us today at 0151 649 8350 or email us at info@applegarth.co.uk, and one of our experienced team members will get you started with an obligation-free quote.
