A property search company says the rapid shift towards electric vehicles is reshaping the UK property market.
Stacks Property Search says parking, power supply and charging infrastructure are now firmly on the list of priorities for homebuyers.
As EV ownership accelerates, prospective purchasers must factor these issues into their buying decisions, and assess whether a property is EV-ready, or if it isn’t, what are the costs and practicalities involved in making it ready.
James Greenwood of Stacks Property Search says: “For property owners with generous driveways and off-street parking, accommodating EV charging can be relatively straightforward. But for those who rely on street parking, EV charging can be much more challenging.”
His colleague Anto Clay adds: “An increasing number of homeowners are converting front gardens into parking spaces to enable home charging.
“Buyers should be aware that planning permission is generally needed to create a driveway or lower a kerb.
“Many councils discourage paving over front gardens due to concerns about flooding, biodiversity loss and reduced green space.
“There are more sustainable solutions, such as permeable pavers or reinforced grass systems, and these may be viewed more favourably, as they allow water drainage and preserve some greenery.”
Another Stacks property agent – London expert Sara Ransom – says: “City buyers face greater challenges. Limited or non-existent off-street parking, restrictions on running cables across pavements, and competition for on-street spaces can make home charging very unreliable.
“While innovative solutions are emerging — including converting disused telephone boxes into charging hubs and installing chargers via lamp posts — infrastructure varies significantly by area and can’t be guaranteed.
“New developments are often restricted in the number of parking spaces they can offer, and only a fraction are equipped for EV charging.
“Off-street parking is becoming more of a priority for buyers, especially those who own the larger SUVs.
“The premium for off street parking is high, and is set to rise as the requirement for EV charging grows. Councils are reluctant to grant permission to create new spaces.”
Stacks believes that investors renovating or extending should plan charging provision as a must-have.
It says EV chargers should be professionally installed, positioned in a dedicated parking space, easily accessible while remaining discreet, and located conveniently for unloading shopping and accessing the house.
And it warns that one of the most overlooked considerations is electrical supply. In some rural or remote areas, power capacity can be limited, particularly at peak times.
Upgrading to three-phase electricity — which supports EV chargers, air source heat pumps and other high-demand systems — can significantly improve capacity.
Costs vary, and while some upgrades may be relatively modest, others can become expensive depending on proximity to the local transformer and required infrastructure works.
For those seeking long-term resilience, solar panels combined with battery storage can reduce reliance on the grid and support EV charging.
However, such installations require careful planning and, in the case of Listed buildings or properties within protected curtilage, formal consent. These systems represent a significant investment and should be considered as part of a broader energy strategy.
Stacks Property Search, 01594 842880 / www.stacks.co.uk
