Terraced Houses: Guide to Charging an Electric Vehicle

The popularity of electric cars continues to rise with just under 1,300,000 fully electric cars in the UK as of the end of October 2024, or 3.83% of the circa 34 million cars on UK roads.

So, when it’s time to purchase a new vehicle it’s likely you could be considering switching to an electric car in an aim to help lower your household’s carbon footprint.

However, with more than 26% of all houses in the UK being terraced houses, you may be one of the people without off-street parking and thinking that switching to an EV isn’t a viable option.

In this guide, we’ll break down everything you need to know when it comes to charging an EV when living in a terraced house and the options available to you.

How do you charge your EV if you live in a terraced house?

For people who live in a terraced house, the idea of charging your EV while at home may not seem possible. So, how do you charge your EV if you live in a terraced house?

Some of these options are often the only way to charge if you don't have a driveway and are often expensive and inconvenient.

Kerbside charging points

Many local councils are now installing kerbside charging points on public streets. Kerbside chargers are often integrated into existing street features, like posts and lampposts, to reduce visual clutter and maximise space. Standalone charging points are usually installed in designated parking bays, so EV owners in urban areas can charge without needing a private driveway or garage.

Kerbside charging rates vary but are typically much higher than home rates. The cost of kerbside charging has increased rapidly, with each kilowatt hour of electricity now costing 50 per cent more (October 2024) than it did at the peak of the energy crisis in January 2023. This is despite wholesale electricity prices falling by 54 per cent over the same period, a development that has resulted in cheaper prices for EV drivers who can charge at home (Resolution Foundation).

Cables across pavements

Many people run the cable across the pavement from their house to their car, but this is not recommended.

Cables across public walkways are a serious risk to pedestrians, especially the elderly or disabled who may trip or be injured. This is not only a safety hazard but also a legal nightmare. In the UK, homeowners could be held legally responsible for any accidents or injuries caused by a charging cable left across the pavement. Don’t underestimate the legal implications, property owners are responsible for making sure any obstructions caused by their charging setup don’t put the public at risk.

Cable gully (Through-pavement EV charging)

The most convenient option for EV owners who want a safer and more discreet solution is a cable gully outside your home.

A cable gully is a narrow channel embedded into the pavement where the EV charging cable can be routed from the house to the car. This means you don’t have to lay the cable across the pavement, reducing the risk of accidents and injuries and keeping the public walkway intact.

Installing a cable gully requires permission from the local council. In many areas councils have strict rules about modifying public pathways so getting the necessary permissions is a key part of compliance with local laws. Plus the cost and installation of a cable gully can vary so homeowners should factor this in when considering this option.

Kerbo Charge is now live across the UK and we can arrange all the necessary permissions and installation. Find out more about how Kerbo Charge works.

Home charging versus Public charging costs

Charging your electric car at home for 10,000 miles per year costs approximately £700 compared to £1,914 if using public charging points, saving you £1,214 annually. Even if you charge at a 70/30 split between home and public chargers, you’d still save around £850 per year.

Home Electricity Rate: 24.5p per kWh, as per the Energy Price Cap set by Ofgem for October to December 2024 (Ofgem).

Public Charging Rate: 67p per kWh, reflecting average costs for public EV charging in the UK (Greenmatch).

As of the 18th of March 2024, homeowners installing an EV Charger in addition to a cross-pavement charging solution, such as a Kerbo Charge channel, can take advantage of a new grant of up to £350, to help cover the cost of buying and installing the EV charger. Read more here.

Can you plug an Electric Car into a regular socket?

Yes. If you would like to charge your electric car by using the regular 3 pin-plug found in your home, this is perfectly possible. However, doing so will take significantly longer compared to charging your vehicle with the aid of a dedicated home charge point. 

Charging from a 3 pin-plug could take as long as 24 hours to fully recharge an EV battery. In comparison, a 7kW home charger fills a typical 60kWh electric car battery from empty in just under 8 hours. Perfect if you’re looking to charge your vehicle overnight. 

When charging your EV via a 3-pin plug, it’s crucial to prioritise safety by ensuring that a Protective Earth Neutral (PEN) fault protection device is installed. A PEN fault can occur when the neutral connection in your home’s electrical system is interrupted, potentially leading to hazardous conditions such as electric shocks. A PEN fault protection device monitors for such issues and immediately disconnects power if a fault is detected, protecting both you and your property.

If you’d like to install a home EV charger we have a list of recommended chargers that are perfect for whatever EV you have. Not only can Kerbo Charge install your charger for you, but we also have a selection of discounts on some of the best chargers available.

Alternative ways to charge an Electric Car

If you need to charge your electric car when you are away from the house, there are a few other ways you can do so.

Public Charging Stations

Public charging stations are another way to charge your EV during the day. In mid-2024, there were 64,632 public electric vehicle charging devices installed in the UK according to the government, so there are likely more than adequate charging points available to you either in and around where you live or work.

The number of charge points are also set to increase significantly, as the UK government has agreed to install 300,000 public EV chargers by the time the ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel vehicles comes into place in 2030.

However, the issue with relying on public chargers is that they are open to the public, meaning all other electric vehicles have access to the charge points. This can cause large queues, which isn’t ideal when you simply want to get home from a long day at work.

Can I leave my car at a Public Charging Station overnight?

You can leave your car to charge overnight at a public charge station. However, make sure you remove your car first thing in the morning to free it up for others!

Additionally, charging times have continued to decrease as the technology surrounding how we charge our electric vehicles improves. For example, if you charge your car at a 150kW rapid charging station, it can take as little as 30 minutes or less to charge a typical electric car from empty to full. Unfortunately, you will be charged a lot more than you would charging your vehicle overnight at home. 

Charging at work

Another way you could charge your electric car is while you are at work. Many businesses have now taken advantage of the Workplace Charging Scheme and may have a chargepoint available for their employees. This is great if you can gain access to a charge point while at work, however, like public chargers, there is no guarantee of exclusive access to these chargers.

Living in a terraced house shouldn't mean you can’t enjoy all the benefits of having an electric car. Thanks to the solution provided by Kerbo Charge, charging an electric car at a terraced house is now more accessible and hassle-free than ever.

If you would like to find out more about how we can help, see if we’re available in your local area or get in touch and one of our team members will be happy to help.