Guidance

Connecting electric vehicle chargepoints to the electricity network

Updated 3 April 2023

Update: April 2023

From 1 April 2023, demand connection customers, such as electric vehicle (EV) chargepoints, applying for a connection will no longer be charged for any distribution network reinforcement to accommodate the connection.

If you are considering switching your fleet to electric vehicles (EVs), or providing EV charging facilities at your business, you will need to install chargepoints and connect them to the electricity network.

This guidance sets out the process for connecting to the electricity network and includes links to useful resources.

Getting started

What type of connection do I need?

There are 2 types of networks you can connect to:

• the distribution network
• the transmission network

These networks are maintained and managed by regulated network operators. This guidance focuses mainly on the process for connecting to the distribution network.

The majority of households and businesses will connect to the local low voltage distribution network.

If you are seeking a large connection, for example for a large number of chargepoints or a group of rapid chargepoints, or are connecting in certain areas, it may be more efficient and cost effective for you to connect to the transmission network.

For more information about transmission network connections:

• in England and Wales, visit National Grid’s connections website
• in Scotland, visit SSEN Transmission or SP Energy Networks

What connection size do I need?

You need to consider your requirements early in the process:

• how many chargepoints you require
• how fast you need to charge your EVs

This table sets out some typical chargepoint types and charging times for a standard car battery.

Chargepoint	Standard	Fast	Rapid	Ultra-Rapid
Power	3-7 kW	7-22 kW	50+ kW	100+ kW
Approximate charge time	3-8 hours	1-3 hours	20-40 minutes	15-30 minutes

Contact a chargepoint installer or network operator to discuss and tailor your charging requirements.

Installation

Do I need to contact my network operator?

For workplaces and depots installing multiple chargepoints, discuss your project with your network operator at an early stage to understand how your connection might be delivered. Before network operators can install new overhead lines, cables or substations, they may need to get planning permission. Some electrical works can be installed without planning permission, but it is a specialist area and it is best that you discuss your individual case with your network operator.

You can discuss smaller installations, for example installing just one chargepoint, with a chargepoint installer. The chargepoint installer will visit the property to determine whether your distribution network operator needs to be informed before or after installation. The Energy Networks Association (ENA) has produced a process flowchart which should be followed when assessing the proposed connection. This process will tell the installer whether the connection can be completed before involving the Distribution Network Operator (DNO).

Find out more about notifying your network operator.

How do I find my network operator?

Use the ENA’s Who’s my network Operator? tool to find your Distribution Network Operator (DNO). It is worth talking through your requirements with your DNO, but they don’t need to carry out the works. Once you understand your requirements, you can get alternative quotes from other organisations. Independent Connections Providers (ICP)s or Independent Distribution Network Operators (IDNO)s can carry out some of the work (referred to as Contestable Work in your quotation) when getting a connection:

• an Independent Connections Provider (ICP) is an accredited company that can build electricity networks to the specification and quality required for a network operator to adopt them.
• Independent Distribution Network Operators (IDNO)s will carry out the work, build and continue to own this local network and provide all ongoing network services, including maintenance and 24-hour fault repairs.

All DNO websites contain details of alternative connection providers. Your chargepoint installer or electrical contractor is often best placed to liaise with appropriate accredited network operators and providers.

How long will it take?

If your chargepoint installer or network operator determines that a new or upgraded connection is required, the process for applying for a connection is:

1. The customer files a connection application with their DNO, outlining the size of the connection, the location, and any other relevant details.

2. The DNO reserves the requested capacity, or considers what upgrades would be required to create the capacity, and issues a connection quote from 5 to 65 working days depending on connection size. If accepted, a formal connection offer will then be made. The connection offer covers the installation of assets to connect the customer, for example cables and transformers, labour costs, any necessary excavation, permits and traffic management. Demand connection customers, such as EV chargepoints, applying for a connection after 1 April 2023 will no longer be charged for any distribution network reinforcement to accommodate the connection.

3. The customer has 90 days to accept or reject the connection offer.

The time to deliver the connection will often depend on the size of the connection required and the complexity of the work involved. Smaller connections that connect to an existing cable in the street can be delivered in a few weeks. Very large connections may take many months or sometimes years to complete.

Prices and charging

How much will the connection cost?

There is a cost to connecting to the network, and the connection cost may be a significant proportion of your total chargepoint installation costs. The cost to connect depends on:

• the size of the connection required
• the distance from the existing network

Under the new connection charging arrangements, demand connection customers applying after 1 April 2023 are only liable to pay for the cost of electrical equipment solely for their own use and are no longer required to contribute towards any distribution network reinforcement costs.

DNO connection offers will contain a breakdown of the connection costs for your project.

How can I minimise the cost?

You can minimise the cost of your connection by amending your requirements:

1. Review your overall electricity requirements and take steps to free up your existing electricity capacity for EV charging. For example, consider energy efficiency measures or changes to your power usage to avoid increases to your maximum electricity usage, such as when you use machinery onsite.

2. Review your EV requirements – if you intend to charge your EV overnight (that is over an 8-hour period), you may not need to install rapid EV chargers. Installing a slow or fast EV charger is more cost effective and may be sufficient to meet your requirements. Also EV users do not routinely charge from empty so the full 8 hours may not be needed.

3. Consider time-profiled or flexible connection – this means you can draw different amounts of power from the electricity network at different times. Your network operator should be able to help explore this option.

4. Consider a new connection, rather than a larger connection - in some instances it may be cheaper to request a new connection that would connect to another part of your site, rather than an increase to your existing connection. This may be particularly relevant if you have a large site or depot. Your network operator should be able to help explore this option.

5. Reduce your EV charging demand by using flexibility services – see How can I reduce my demand?

Currently, the Office for Zero Emission Vehicles (OZEV) Workplace Charging Scheme (WCS) grants for EV charging infrastructure cover the cost of the chargepoints themselves. The EV infrastructure grant provides funding towards the cost of wider building and installation work that’s needed to install multiple chargepoint sockets. See: Grant schemes for electric vehicle charging infrastructure.

All network operators have established complaints procedures in place. If you are not happy with the service you receive from a network operator and cannot resolve this, you can submit a formal complaint to the network operator for escalation. If you remain unhappy with the network operator’s response you can refer your case to the Energy Ombudsman (domestic and small businesses) or Ofgem (larger commercial connections). See the guidance on dispute determinations. You can also contact Citizens Advice for support.

Minimising the cost for depot-based businesses

If your business is considering electrifying its fleet, UK Power Networks (UKPN) have developed a simple, quick and easy Site Planning Tool as part of the Optimise Prime project so depot-based businesses can now assess how to make the switch to EVs at the lowest cost. The tool will allow you to compare different scenarios and understand the impact and benefits of going electric for your business.

It includes software that implements a smart charging algorithm so you can model how you might charge your EVs when electricity is cheaper (e.g. when demand for electricity is lower, for example at night, or when there is lots of renewable energy on the grid), to reduce the cost of running your fleet.

Services and flexibility

How will EV charging affect my bills?

There are many energy tariffs that offer cheaper electricity overnight, some of which are specifically designed for EV charging. Switching to one of these tariffs can bring the cost of EV charging down, especially if you do the bulk of your charging overnight. These types of energy tariffs are known as time of use tariffs. Speak to your energy supplier or see what’s on the market to find one that suits your needs.

How can I reduce my demand?

Each site and fleet have different characteristics, meaning there is no one size fits all approach to managing EV charging. Network connections have to cater for your peak demand, reducing this could help you to minimise network connection costs and potentially allow a faster connection. Some of the key options to consider are:

1. Installing smart chargers to intelligently manage how you charge your EVs: this allows you to program your EV charging to suit your needs. You may also be able to combine smart charging with a time of use tariff so your EVs automatically charge when electricity is cheapest.

2. Installing additional on-site energy assets, such as solar PV or battery storage: on their own or combined with time of use tariffs and/or smart charging, you can optimise your site’s electricity consumption and prioritise charging your EVs with renewable electricity generated onsite. You can also use onsite batteries to provide services to the grid and be paid for this. Specialist smart solution providers can advise you how to implement this.

3. Bi-directional charging technologies are an emerging technology which enable EV batteries to act as storage. The stored energy can then be used in a commercial building, or the grid (“vehicle-to-grid”), so the term “Vehicle-to-X energy” (V2X energy) is used to describe all these propositions. This can provide businesses with financial, environmental and operational benefits. There are currently only a few bi-directional capable electric vehicles, chargepoints and energy tariffs on the market, but innovation projects and trials are under way which are expected to grow the role of the technology.

Useful links

• Energy Networks Association connections guidance
• Independent Networks Association
• Energy UK Guide for fleet managers