Installation of electric vehicle chargers at private properties

For petrol and diesel vehicles a network of privately operated petrol filling stations exists which cars and other vehicles are able to access.

Provision for electric vehicles is being provided through a similar network of charging stations. In recent years, these have been provided both by the Council and private sector in a range of locations. The locations of existing charge points can be found, along with the Council’s current programme of work in the ‘Electric Vehicles in East Dunbartonshire booklet.

Going forward, the model for provision of electric vehicle charging infrastructure is changing, more information can be found on the Transport Scotland website.

Electric vehicles have the added benefit that they can be charged at home. This is being provided for in new development via planning policy. For existing housing, homeowners can consider the following:

• Installation of a charging point on their driveway/privately owned land
• Joint installation on car parks related to flatted properties – this will likely require discussion and agreement with all combined owners (normally through a central factor).

The ‘Electric Vehicles in East Dunbartonshire’ booklet provides some information about grants which may be available to residents.

However, not all homeowners will be able to install a charger on their property, for a variety of reasons - including the constraints of the immediate road network - and will need to use charging locations away from their home. Therefore, purchasers of EVs who don't have off-street parking should base any decision to purchase an EV on availability and proximity to publicly and privately available charging locations as highlighted above.

It is also noted that, in the changes required to meet climate change targets, to improve health outcomes and air quality, the transport hierarchy prioritises walking, wheeling and cycling first, followed by public transport and lastly the private car.

Installation of a permanent or removable charger on the public road or pavement is not permitted. Under the Roads (Scotland) Act 1984, Part V Roads and Building Control and VIII Interference and Damage, it is not permitted to place apparatus, including a cable or wire over, along or across a public road (which includes the footway) without the consent of the roads authority. For clarity, East Dunbartonshire Council will not permit a cable crossing a footway for the purpose of charging a vehicle. The Council will not authorise (permit), adopt or maintain private charging points on publicly owned and adopted carriageways and footways.

The following considerations have informed the Council’s position.

Land ownership:

• Roads and footways are available to be accessed by all and cannot be reserved
• Access to parking outside a property or in a particular location cannot be guaranteed. Unless there are restrictions preventing parking, anyone can park on the public road and space cannot be reserved for an individual property.  

Utilities:

• Utilities (gas, electricity, water, telephone, broadband) are housed underneath pavements and installing a private EV charging cable across these would create an ongoing maintenance issue.

Health and Safety:

• Pavements must be clear for pedestrians and wheelchair users
• The Highway Code (Rule 239) says you should avoid creating a trip hazard for pedestrians from trailing cables when using charge points
• The cable would be a safety risk for people with impaired vision or mobility issues and the owner would be held liable for any injury.