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Because my electricity meter is not located near the front of my house/driveway, I’m unsure of paying the ‘advanced payment’ before I know if it’s possible to install a home charger.
Is there any way to get a mobility installer to carry out a survey prior to me ordering an EV, so I could have an idea of any additional costs involved?
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Where do I start!
The bare earth cable coming off the main supply cable (lower right) into the earth block (bottom middle) indicates your DNO has supplied either a TNS or TN-C-S means of earthing however given the age of the service head (black box lower right) I’d guess its a TNS (Terra (earth) Neutral are seperate). Typically TN-C-S earthing would have a label attached to the supply cable, saying something similar to “This system has Protective Multiple Earthing”. However any necessary upgrade work to the service head or main earthing, would be carried out free of charge by your DNO, if you had a charger fitted.
Main earthing to gas and water – I see you have a new(ish) green/yellow earthing cable coming out of the earth block and shooting off up the wall. Where does this go, to the water or gas or somewhere else? You then have a thinner bare earth cable coming out of the earth block and going underneath the wooden board. At a guess this will go to your incoming water pipe?
The meter tails (red and black cables coming out the meter to lower fuse box) from the photo look to be standard 25mm2. They could do with being change to brown and blue but, thats neither here or there and your not breaking any laws anyway.
Your main earthing to both the gas and water needs to be 10mm2 (same as the yellow/green cable) if not already pressent. This is a relitavely minor job.
The two silver metalclad switches are for?
Why two Wylex fuse boxes, did you use to have economy 7?
As to the question can you have a charger fitted, the answer is yes with conditions:
Any work required to the service head or DNO earth supply will done via a minor works order by the DNO if necessary FOC.
Your main bonding to water or gas or both, would most likely need upgrading which is not the end of the world.
The installation company installing the charger, would use Henley blocks to spit the red and black meter tails and install a dedicated consumer unit somewhere above the rest of the electrical equipment and the charger supplied from there.
Problems you may run into:
You are on a looped supply from you neighbour. In which case the DNO will install a new supply FOC when fitting a charger.
The total combined power for the house and charger exceeds that of your incoming supply. This wll be covered by above or if your not on a looped supply, depending on who your DNO is it will
maybe done FOCIf the DNO supplied earth is damaged underground, this will be repaired FOC by the DNO on the basis they supplied an earth to the property when it was built. The DNO in rare circumstances could leave you to install a TNT earth (earth rod) which is not the end of the world and doubtful they would do this.
The work required to upgrade you water and gas bonding would trigger a non statard charger install and would need to be payed for however you can get this done yourself by the local spark slightly cheaper.
First things first. If you decide to go for an electric vehicle a survey will be done. At this point you will know exactly whats, what. The charger installation company will notify the DNO of any works required for you. These works if any may be carried out prir to the chrger being fitted or after. Any work caried out by the DNO is free if your having a charger fitted.
Once the works are completed by the DNO if required and your charger is fitted I advise you to get quotes to replace the Wylex fuse boxes with a consumer unit.
I hope this makes sense 🙂
Good morning kezo brother in law is a builder knows electricians can an electrician supply and fit a charger hidden away in my meter shed at front you have saw the photo how much would it cost trade price ? I’ve got to be careful what I say as you can understand but could you give me a rough idea of price for charger fully fitted many thanks
Good morning kezo brother in law is a builder knows electricians can an electrician supply and fit a charger hidden away in my meter shed at front you have saw the photo how much would it cost trade price ? I’ve got to be careful what I say as you can understand but could you give me a rough idea of price for charger fully fitted many thanks
Yes Mike they can. It would need reporting to the LA building control dept. Alot depends on the charger fitted and how much he can get them for trade £650-£800. Another option is a commando socket, common with Tesla owners or those needing a second charge point – these are basic, less noticeabe but yo won’t get tariffs like octopus intelligent.
Thankyou Kezo my neighbour with the Tesla didn’t have permission for his charger they took photos but never made him take it down ! Motability free charger would need my landlords permission is that correct ?
Here is the full story Kezo on site warden told me electric charger no problem had6 test drives in evs was going to order filled out application form asked how much administration fee was told me £48 got a call 4 days later said we will save you the £48 as you won’t get permission as communial parking and going over path . It’s a very very very quiet cul de sac 32 bungalows retirement development just 5 cars on site at night . The head office is near good friends an hour away do I go in person to see them ? I’m going Xmas day with family to my nieces for Xmas dinner she is a legal secretary do I mention this to her ?
Thankyou Kezo my neighbour with the Tesla didn’t have permission for his charger they took photos but never made him take it down ! Motability free charger would need my landlords permission is that correct ?
Yes unfortunately!
There are used Ohme E-Pods on the likes of ebay gumtree, that would work perfectly well. Add on £250 or less mates rate to install it, it wouldn’t be as expensive and you would get access to the cheaper tariffs. There are less known brands on the market such as EO and Project EV that are as good and meet current standards and work perfectly well but you loose access to the cheaper tariffs. Buying a new Ohme E-Pod depends very much on the trade price your brothers sparky can get then for.
If I have new hybrid next 3 years surely be chargers here then ???? Other option she’ll garage 3 miles away has 10 chargers but dearer than petrol ?
Here is the full story Kezo on site warden told me electric charger no problem had6 test drives in evs was going to order filled out application form asked how much administration fee was told me £48 got a call 4 days later said we will save you the £48 as you won’t get permission as communial parking and going over path . It’s a very very very quiet cul de sac 32 bungalows retirement development just 5 cars on site at night . The head office is near good friends an hour away do I go in person to see them ? I’m going Xmas day with family to my nieces for Xmas dinner she is a legal secretary do I mention this to her ?
I still cannot get over you have a driveway leading to your front door and a path going right up to your door and they class it as communial parking. That not only sound bonkers but, more to the point, they can’t be bothered with the hassle.
In the not so distance future, it will become a legal requirement for landlords to fit charge points for their tennants on a communial or directlt to homes. Unfortunately the law only mandates that landlords fit chargers to new homes or flats and newbuilds in general. On existing homes landlords are not legally obliged “to fit” chargers yet. However, the law does give tennants the right to install a charger, providing they pay for it (covered by Motability in your case) or via agreement with the landlord, the landlord pays for it upfront useing one of the grants available and the tennant pay the landlord back.
I am no solicitor or legal secretary but, there does exist a law that gives tennants rights and one of these laws gives tennants the right to have a charger installed as long as they pay for it or in your case Motability pays for it and as long as it is safe to other around you and not a danger to other tennants or encroaches on communial areas. Has I have allready said, I don’t believe your driveway attached to your home or footpath leading to your front door is communial and that your landlord is using it as an escuse because, they either can’t be arsed or they fear they will have to pay for something!
It maybe worth getting your niece to read what I have wrote and reading the below link below (firm of solicitors) and writing to your landlord on your behalf, stating the probability of the law/s allowing you the right to install a charger at your own cost, which will be covered by motability and that she does not believe the driveway attached to your property nor the path leading to your front door to be communial and if necessary request proof.
https://westgate-chambers.co.uk/do-landlords-need-to-supply-an-ev-charger-for-their-tenants/
What would you do if you were me ?
Get your niece write a letter first 🙂
Thank you so much for such a detailed reply.
The first paragraph I am afraid just goes over my head but if the DNO sort it all good.
Yes the green/yellow earthing cable goes to the pipe connected to the gas meter in the garage and presumably the bare wire to the water pipe inlet.The two silver clad boxes – one is for electric shower and the other is for the light switch for the cupboard under the stairs where the electric meter is.
No idea why 2 Wylex fuse boxes. Not had economy 7. Maybe previous owner had it.
So all things considered I think it’s quite positive if we can find a car suitable to my wife’s needs. As you said I will know more when a survey is done and take it from there. Thank you once again you are a star ⭐️
@kezo Thank you so much for such a detailed reply. The first paragraph I am afraid just goes over my head but if the DNO sort it all good. Yes the green/yellow earthing cable goes to the pipe connected to the gas meter in the garage and presumably the bare wire to the water pipe inlet. The two silver clad boxes – one is for electric shower and the other is for the light switch for the cupboard under the stairs where the electric meter is. No idea why 2 Wylex fuse boxes. Not had economy 7. Maybe previous owner had it. So all things considered I think it’s quite positive if we can find a car suitable to my wife’s needs. As you said I will know more when a survey is done and take it from there. Thank you once again you are a star
If you were to go electric and the survey pick up your Wylex boards need changing, tell them you just want them to fit the charger with a dedicated consumer (part of the install) and you will get them looked at once everthing else is in order and any DNO minor works done. Ohme or rather their contractors will charge you a small fortune to undertake a consumer unit upgrade. You will get a far better price from a local electrician and dare I say it a better job done!
As for bonding what we assume to be the main water inlet, its up to you if you had it done at time of having the charger fitted or call a local sparky and save a few bob. Neither here or there though.
I won’t be far off the ball park with what I said and from looking at the photo however, you can request an in person survey prior to ordering an EV with Motability. The aim is not to get ripped off! If your local I don’t mind taking a closer look if you wanted 🙂
Here is the full story Kezo on site warden told me electric charger no problem had6 test drives in evs was going to order filled out application form asked how much administration fee was told me £48 got a call 4 days later said we will save you the £48 as you won’t get permission as communial parking and going over path . It’s a very very very quiet cul de sac 32 bungalows retirement development just 5 cars on site at night . The head office is near good friends an hour away do I go in person to see them ? I’m going Xmas day with family to my nieces for Xmas dinner she is a legal secretary do I mention this to her ?
I still cannot get over you have a driveway leading to your front door and a path going right up to your door and they class it as communial parking. That not only sound bonkers but, more to the point, they can’t be bothered with the hassle. In the not so distance future, it will become a legal requirement for landlords to fit charge points for their tennants on a communial or directlt to homes. Unfortunately the law only mandates that landlords fit chargers to new homes or flats and newbuilds in general. On existing homes landlords are not legally obliged “to fit” chargers yet. However, the law does give tennants the right to install a charger, providing they pay for it (covered by Motability in your case) or via agreement with the landlord, the landlord pays for it upfront useing one of the grants available and the tennant pay the landlord back. I am no solicitor or legal secretary but, there does exist a law that gives tennants rights and one of these laws gives tennants the right to have a charger installed as long as they pay for it or in your case Motability pays for it and as long as it is safe to other around you and not a danger to other tennants or encroaches on communial areas. Has I have allready said, I don’t believe your driveway attached to your home or footpath leading to your front door is communial and that your landlord is using it as an escuse because, they either can’t be arsed or they fear they will have to pay for something! It maybe worth getting your niece to read what I have wrote and reading the below link below (firm of solicitors) and writing to your landlord on your behalf, stating the probability of the law/s allowing you the right to install a charger at your own cost, which will be covered by motability and that she does not believe the driveway attached to your property nor the path leading to your front door to be communial and if necessary request proof. https://westgate-chambers.co.uk/do-landlords-need-to-supply-an-ev-charger-for-their-tenants/
many thanks for all your help Kezo
@kezo Thank you so much for such a detailed reply. The first paragraph I am afraid just goes over my head but if the DNO sort it all good. Yes the green/yellow earthing cable goes to the pipe connected to the gas meter in the garage and presumably the bare wire to the water pipe inlet. The two silver clad boxes – one is for electric shower and the other is for the light switch for the cupboard under the stairs where the electric meter is. No idea why 2 Wylex fuse boxes. Not had economy 7. Maybe previous owner had it. So all things considered I think it’s quite positive if we can find a car suitable to my wife’s needs. As you said I will know more when a survey is done and take it from there. Thank you once again you are a star
If you were to go electric and the survey pick up your Wylex boards need changing, tell them you just want them to fit the charger with a dedicated consumer (part of the install) and you will get them looked at once everthing else is in order and any DNO minor works done. Ohme or rather their contractors will charge you a small fortune to undertake a consumer unit upgrade. You will get a far better price from a local electrician and dare I say it a better job done! As for bonding what we assume to be the main water inlet, its up to you if you had it done at time of having the charger fitted or call a local sparky and save a few bob. Neither here or there though. I won’t be far off the ball park with what I said and from looking at the photo however, you can request an in person survey prior to ordering an EV with Motability. The aim is not to get ripped off! If your local I don’t mind taking a closer look if you wanted ?
Thanks again @kezo I will request a survey probably in January prior to ordering if we find a suitable EV and take on board what you have said.
We are in the North West between Liverpool and Manchester so I don’t know if that’s local to you.
We are in the North West between Liverpool and Manchester so I don’t know if that’s local to you.
Unfortunately not sorry. Happy to answer any questions you may have . Anyway I hope everything works out for you 🙂
many thanks for all your help Kezo
Any time mate 🙂
Have a good Christmas ??
We are in the North West between Liverpool and Manchester so I don’t know if that’s local to you.
Unfortunately not sorry. Happy to answer any questions you may have . Anyway I hope everything works out for you ?
many thanks for all your help Kezo
Any time mate ? Have a good Christmas ??
No problems @kezo and thank you once again I will see what the new year brings with the scheme and if I need any help with a charger install I will let you know.
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