Written evidence from Mr Randal Lancelyn Green (ELV0019)

26 August 2023

Regarding point 24

I live in a leasehold flat and have had considerable difficulty trying to get permission to install an EV charger in my allocated parking space.

It took a considerable amount of effort to even get the management company (FiratPort) and landowner, in my case the developer (Vistry Homes Western), to give more than a stock answer to my enquiries, specifically contacting a local paper (https://emersonsgreenvoice.co.uk/2023/05/12/allocated-parking-causes-ev-charging-headache/), my MP (Chris Skidmore) and writing to the leadership of both the organisations. So far the process has taken since December 2021 and no plan or date for making any provision has been communicated to me or my MP. In my situation as the owner of the leasehold property I am willing to meet the entire cost of the installation and to also put the preparations that would be required if the installation of each charging point would exceed the £3,600 limit that is included in the legislation for all new builds or major refurbishments. This legislation is good but of no benefit owners of existing properties and could be an incentive for home builders to prevent existing owners from installing EV chargers to increase the value of the new homes that they have to fit them to.

Some legislation to require timely responses and to as a minimum justify why it is infeasible to retrofit chargers in a specific case, with cost not being a valid reason where the cost can be met from a source that will not affect the management fees or incur a one off cost residents other than the one requesting it would help greatly. Ideally if no response with grounds for refusal is made within the timescale permission is deemed to be granted, provided a sensible level of detail is provided.

My other main concern is that not being able to have a charger connected to your own metered supply and then choose an electricity tariff suitable for an EV owner is likely to mean a person driving 8,000 miles per year will likely be paying an additional £600 a year in energy costs by having to use public chargers.

Yours faithfully,

Randal Lancelyn Green