Guidance

Residential chargepoints: minimum technical specification

Minimum technical specification for manufacturers of chargepoint units for residential properties covered by OZEV chargepoint grant schemes.

This guidance defines the specification for electric and plug-in hybrid electric road vehicle conductive charging equipment.

This minimum technical specification is for chargepoints approved for residential use and can be used for the following schemes:

If you are a manufacturer or supplier who wishes to apply for authorisation for your chargepoint units for these types of properties, you must ensure they comply with the technical specifications laid out in this guidance.

If you wish to apply for both residential and commercial use, you must ensure your chargepoint units comply with technical specifications for both Office for Zero Emission Vehicles (OZEV) schemes.

For commercial properties, see Commercial chargepoints: minimum technical specification.

Where standards or regulations are mentioned, you must comply with the most current edition at the time of the installation. In cases of apparent inconsistency, the IET Wiring Regulations (BS 7671:2018+A1:2020) take precedence for electrical installation requirements.

Charging outlets

The following outlet configurations are permitted:

Standard AC (3.5kW to 7kW)

  • charging equipment outlet must be rated 230Vac ± 10% single-phase
  • charging equipment output must be greater than 3.5kW and not greater than 7kW

Fast AC (7kW to 23kW)

  • charging equipment outlet must be rated 230Vac ± 10% single-phase or 400Vac ± 10% three-phase
  • charging equipment output must be greater than 7kW and not greater than 23kW

Fast DC (3.5kW to 22kW)

  • charging equipment output must be greater than 3.5kW and not greater than 22kW

The following outlet configurations are not permitted:

  • slow AC (less than 3.5kW)
  • semi-rapid AC (23kW to 43kW)
  • rapid AC (43kW to 44kW)
  • semi-rapid DC (22kW to 50kW)
  • rapid DC (50kW to 62.5kW)
  • ultra-rapid DC (62.5kW to 400kW)

Charging equipment requirement

Charging equipment must be compliant with:

  • BS-EN-61851-1:2019
  • Electromagnetic Compatibility Regulations 2016 (the 2006 Regulations continue to apply to equipment placed on the market or put into service before 8 December 2016)
  • Electrical Equipment Safety Regulations 2016 (the 1994 Regulations continue to apply to electrical equipment placed on the market before 8 December 2016)
  • BS 8300-1:2018 – the equipment will permit chargepoints to be installed in compliance with BS 8300-1:2018 and the design considers the needs of EV drivers who may be disabled or have mobility issues.

The design of the charging equipment must permit installations to be compliant with the requirements of:

  • the IET wiring regulations BS 7671:2018+A1:2020
  • the IET Code of Practice for Electric Vehicle Charging Equipment Installation
  • BS EN 61851-1:2019 (electric vehicle conductive charging system, general requirements)
  • the Safety, Quality and Continuity Regulations 2002

Further requirements

Charging equipment must utilise charging station EV socket outlets (BS EN 61851-1:2019 Case A or B connection) or charging stations with tethered cables (BS EN 61851-1:2019 Case C connection).

Charging equipment shall be CE marked in accordance with EC Directive 768/2008/EC or have UKCA marking in accordance with Using the UKCA marking.

Details of any precautions necessary to ensure safe operation with active implantable medical devices must be provided and must also be clearly displayed on the charging equipment.

Where multiple outlets are provided the charging equipment shall be classified according to the output power delivered at each outlet with all outlets operating simultaneously.

Where multiple connectors are associated with a single outlet only one connector must be active, and all other connectors shall be inactive when the outlet is in use.

Charging equipment status must be indicated using lights, LEDs or display.

Specific requirements for AC charging equipment

AC charging equipment output power must be measured or calculated at a nominal supply voltage of 230Vac single-phase or 400Vac three-phase.

AC charging equipment must be compliant with BS EN 61851-1:2019.

AC charging equipment must use BS EN 62196 Mode 3 charging.

AC charging equipment socket outlets (where used) shall be BS EN 62196 Type 2.

Specific requirements for DC charging equipment

DC charging equipment must be compliant with BS EN 61851-23:2014

DC charging equipment must use BS EN 62196 Mode 4 charging

For charging equipment with embedded generation capability (V2X):

  • charging equipment with embedded generation capability of up to and including 16A per phase must be compliant with ENA Engineering Recommendation G98
  • charging equipment with embedded generation capability greater than 16A per phase shall be compliant with ENA Engineering Recommendation G99

Exclusions

BS EN 62196 Mode 1 or Mode 2 charging are not permitted.

Smart requirements

The chargepoint must comply with The Electric Vehicles (Smart Charge Points) Regulations 2021.

Alternatively, you will need to submit an enforcement undertaking offer for it to the Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS).

Cybersecurity

Complies with the cybersecurity requirements in The Electric Vehicles (Smart Charge Points) Regulations 2021.

Servicing and maintenance

Charging equipment shall be supplied with an on-site 3-year warranty on parts and installation.

Published 4 July 2022
Last updated 2 August 2023 + show all updates
  1. Charging equipment specifications have been updated.

  2. First published.