Thank you for choosing an electric vehicle. By making this choice you’re part of a growing movement in the city that is thinking differently about the future of transport.
As you know, when the time comes to purchase a new vehicle, replacing your petrol or diesel car with an electric vehicle is one of the ways you can help to reduce air pollution in the city and improve air quality for everyone.
If you’re not already aware, there are already around 100 electric vehicle charge points across the city, in car parks and on streets. Read more on our electric charge points page.
If you do choose to charge your vehicle from your home, and not one of our charge points, please consider the following guidelines:
- If you’re charging your vehicle in the street, using your home electricity supply, you don’t need a licence at the moment, but make sure you keep an eye on local policy in case this changes.
- You do need to make sure you are charging responsibly, and with regard for your own safety, as well as other people’s. It’s your responsibility to consider existing legislation, read your car’s manual and make sure your cables are suitable for outdoor use and wet weather. If in doubt seek advice from a qualified electrician before charging for the first time.
- It’s also your responsibility to make sure your home insurance covers you for charging on street, in case of any accidents.
- And it’s your responsibility to avoid putting yourself and others at risk when trailing a cable across a footpath or any area people may cross, this includes across a road or down any side streets.
- Please be considerate when charging your vehicle, and always keep access in mind for people using the footpath to walk or wheel past. Park legally, with awareness for any restrictions, and don’t block access for any other vehicles. Keep cables on the ground, don’t hang them out of upstairs windows, or from trees or lampposts.
- Park as close as possible to your home on the same side of the road, and no further away than 10 metres (that’s about two car lengths). Run any cables alongside the kerb if you need to charge like this.
- Only leave cables out when you’re charging. Wherever a cable crosses a pavement, please use an outdoor, tough, non-slip cable protector with contrasting colours (e.g. yellow and black) and sloped sides. This will help the cable become more visible and secure, reducing the risk to other pavement users. Any liability from the placement of the cable or protector is your responsibility as the resident, so make sure you get this right.
- If we think you need further guidance on charging, we will work with you to make sure you are aware of these guidelines and are charging safely.
We’re here to help you. If you have any questions or would like any information, or would like to report a dangerous trailing cable, please get in touch with our team: transportplan@portsmouthcc.gov.uk
You can also request an electric vehicle charge point in your street