Aspecte has seen a rise in the number of enquiries when moving home on whether installing a new charger is better than taking the existing Electric Vehicle Charger with them. With the increasing use of electric cars, you may be wondering if you could or should take your EV charger and have it re-installed at your new location. Having a home EV charger installed at your property can significantly impact its value and make it more desirable to potential buyers.
In this article, we will guide you through the key points to consider when moving house.
Off-Street Parking
Does your new property have off-street parking? You should have access to off-street parking, such as a driveway or dedicated parking space, to charge your electric car at home. If your new property only has off-street parking, it may not be worth taking your charger when you move.
Current Electric Vehicle Regulations
The Smart Home Electric Vehicle Regulation was introduced in 2022, requiring all chargers to be compatible with smart electric vehicle technology. This regulation ensures chargers built after this date have the technology to schedule a charge session. If your current home charger was installed before 2022, it is unlikely to have this functionality. A charging point with this functionality may better suit your lifestyle, so purchasing a new charger for your property could be more suitable.
Planning Permission
If you are moving into a listed building, you will need planning permission to install an electric vehicle charger. This is required to install a new charger or re-install the old charger. If you are unsure whether you will require planning permission, why not contact the Aspecte team, who can support you throughout the permission acquisition and charger installation phases. We can also offer advice on the different installation options available to you such as electric vehicle charging posts, ideal for keeping away from the listed building facade.
Removal Costs & Property Value
Your electric car charging point must be removed and reinstalled by a qualified electrician. This will inevitably cause the costs to mount up, meaning it’s likely to work out far cheaper to have a new charger installed at your new property.
A big factor to consider is your properties value. A house with an electric vehicle charging point installed is likely to increase your homes value and be more attractive to future buyers. Discussing the valuation of your property with an estate agent can help you decide which is the best option.
Informing the DNO
The Distribution Network Operator (DNO) controls the power supply to your home. While you don’t need to inform them of the removal of the charge point, you are required to inform them of the charger installation. When moving to a new house, it is important to check the power supply and consider potential upgrades. Your new home may not have the same power supply as your previous home, which could impact your charging speeds. In this case, the DNO may need to make changes to your fuse box to increase your power supply. Our team at Aspecte can support you with this process to advise you whether the current setup will support a new home EV charger.
Charger Design
Does your current home car charger point match the aesthetic of your new home? This could be a factor you need to consider. However, this may not be necessary if your charger is located somewhere out of sight. Aspecte offer a range of EV chargers, such as the Easee One, which are available in multiple colours to suit your home, whether it be in a built up city location like Norwich, or in one of our sleepy Norfolk village locations
Warranty
It’s important to consider that removing and re-installing your electric car charging point may void the warranty, which could pose an issue if the charger has an issue in the future. If you need to check the warranty, it should be in the terms and conditions that came with the charger.
Conclusion
Overall, while it is possible to move with your EV charging point, it may be more viable to purchase a new charger for your property, especially since it will likely increase the saleability of your existing property and it’s value as well as increasing the value of your future forever home.
We feel it’s important to reiterate that you should not attempt to remove or install an electric car charger without a using a qualified electrician to undertake the works.
If you’re moving into a rented property, government grants, such as the Electric Vehicle Homecharge Scheme (EVHS) or the OLEV Grant, are available for the installation of a home charging point. Through this scheme, you will be eligible to claim £350 on your electric car charge point installation. Most plugin hybrids and EVs qualify for this scheme and you will be able to claim the offer for one charging point per vehicle. Contact our team of experts based at our head office in Wymondaham, East Anglia for more information on these grants.If you are looking for further advice, why not reach out to our team of experts, who will support you with any questions or concerns you may have. Contact us on 01953 250121, alternatively please email us on aspecte@aspectgroupservices.co.uk