EV charger installation in Margate.

What you get

• 7kW single-phase OZEV-eligible chargepoint (Ohme, Zappi, Wallbox, Podpoint - your choice from the OZEV-approved list)
• Dedicated 32A radial circuit from the CU, appropriate cable sized for the run length (typically 6mm or 10mm)
• Type A RDC-DD (Residual Direct Current Detecting Device) protection or Type B RCD where the charger doesn't have DC fault detection built in - mandatory under BS 7671 Section 722
• Network operator told about the install; larger installs need their approval before work starts. In Kent that is South Eastern Power Networks, part of UK Power Networks
• OZEV grant application submitted on your behalf where you're eligible - GBP 350 off the install for flat-owners and rented properties under the current scheme, subject to eligibility

OZEV eligibility - who qualifies now

The general OZEV Electric Vehicle Homecharge Scheme closed to homeowners in April 2022 and the current grant runs only for:

• Renters (private tenants and social housing) - GBP 350 off, subject to landlord consent
• Flat-owners in blocks (not houses with driveways) - GBP 350 off
• Landlords installing chargers for tenants - GBP 350 off, up to 200 chargers per year

Homeowners with driveways don't currently qualify. I'll tell you at survey stage which category you're in - no point applying if it'll be rejected.

Conservation-area and listed-building siting

Old Town Margate frontages (Hawley Square, King Street, Fort Crescent, Cold Harbour) are inside the Margate Conservation Area and often Grade II listed. A wall-mounted charger on the front elevation of a listed building needs listed building consent from TDC, which takes 6-8 weeks. Two workarounds I use routinely:

• Rear/side siting - if you have a rear access or a side passage where the charger is invisible from the street, no listed consent needed. Cable run planned to minimise chases in original brick.
• Bollard-mount - a floor-mounted charger on the driveway itself (where planning permits an off-street parking area) avoids the wall-mount consent conversation entirely.

Cliftonville is mostly in the CA but has fewer listed frontages - most CA-only jobs can proceed without individual consent as long as you're not attaching to a listed elevation. I check TDC's Historic England list before quoting.

Supply capacity check

I check your supply as part of the survey with a maximum-demand calculation. Most standard single-phase supplies cope with a 7kW charger, but if you are also planning a heat pump or induction hob we may need to involve the network operator (South Eastern Power Networks, part of UK Power Networks) about the supply.

Load-management options

All modern OZEV-eligible chargers include dynamic load balancing - the charger reduces its draw automatically if you're running the shower and cooker at the same time, so you don't trip the main. Zappi and Ohme also integrate with solar (see solar service) to charge from surplus PV when it's available, which is worth having if you're planning solar in the next 2 years.

Cable route survey

The install cost depends heavily on the cable run from the CU to the driveway. Under 10m in a straightforward route: GBP 850 all-in. 10-25m or requiring floor lifting/exterior chasing: GBP 950-1,150. Over 25m or crossing outbuildings: quoted individually. I do this survey by photo first (send me a photo of your CU and one of where you want the charger), then confirm on site.

What I don't do on EV jobs

I won't install a 7kW charger on a CU that's already at capacity - if you need CU upgrade + charger, that's one combined quote and one visit. And I won't cable-tie a charger to a listed brick facade to avoid the consent conversation - it damages the property and TDC find them eventually.