The motor industry is transforming at a rapid rate with the use of electric vehicles (EVs) on the rise as the UK strives to meet ambitious carbon emission targets. At Electricity North West, we are supporting this transition and investing in our network to ensure that it is fit for a future where low carbon technologies are commonplace in all UK homes and businesses.
You should start by contacting an accredited electric vehicle charge point installer to confirm whether your electricity supply is adequate to support the charging point. It is general practice that the installer would carry out any required applications for upgrade in supply capacity or notify us when the charge point has been installed. The property owner should ensure this is carried out by their supplier. Provided there is no problem with your electricity supply or the equipment which joins your internal wiring to our electricity network, named the 'cut-out', you can install the charge point.
Please refer to this process flow chart to determine whether you need to use this form to 'apply to connect' or 'connect and notify'. If you need to ‘apply to connect’ please send completed 'apply to connect' forms to domesticlct@enwl.co.uk. If after following the flow chart you only need to 'connect and notify'; once you have installed your charge point, please send your 'connect and notify' forms to domesticlct@enwl.co.uk.
Use the questions below to help identify whether you need to Connect and Notify, Apply to Connect or Upgrade to three phase
For 'Upgrade to three phase'
If you currently have a single phase supply rated between 60 & 100A and now require more than 100A after your maximum demand/diversity calculations, you will need to send your ENA form to connectionapplications@enwl.co.uk. This is a chargeable service and the average cost of upgrading to three phase power, rated at 80A per phase is £5370.00.
Once you have reviewed the process flow chart, complete this ENA application form and email it to domesticlct@enwl.co.uk
Once you have reviewed the process flow chart, notify us by completing this ENA form and email it to domesticlct@enwl.co.uk
This process flow chart will help you determine when you need to notify us about your installation and when you will need to make a new application.
A guide to electric vehicles and charge points for domestic and business customers.
To submit your application, you will need:
The Institution of Engineering and Technology’s Code of Practice on Electric Vehicle Charging Equipment Installation provides guidance for installers and confirms their responsibilities.
Specifically it outlines the installer’s responsibility to:
Electricity North West owns and maintains the electricity network of overhead lines and underground cables that bring power to 2.5 million homes and businesses in the North West.
EVs can use as much electricity as a domestic power shower, but for much longer, which can have a significant impact on demand for electricity on that part of the network.
It’s therefore important that you talk to us about your charge point installation so that we can assess whether the local electricity network and your site have enough capacity to meet your charging needs. For larger projects, we may need to build new infrastructure which will affect the time and cost of your project.
See guidance for device owners and installation contractors from the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) if you are registering energy devices in homes or small businesses.