charger installation issue (parking space outside boundary)

[addey]

We have an EV on order, possibly due before the end of the year. I've started the process to get the charger installed with Octopus as its part of the deal (Ford Puma lease) and have sent them the requested info. The problem is that "our" parking spaces are outside the boundary of the property. I've put "our" in inverted commas because they don't officially belong to us but they are the parking spaces we have used for the 16 years we have been here, on-one else has ever parked in them. I believe the previous owners before us tarmac'd the area to create the parking spaces for themselves and put in a dropped kerb. We are at the end of a cul-de-sac, the area beyond the parking spaces is grass, then a hedge/fence, both of which are accessible from the other side of where we park the cars if required. Its a bit vague who owns the land we park on, possibly unregistered, houses were built in the 50's. Anyway, my main question is - can Octopus refuse the installation because the parking spaces aren't our property? Has anyone else had similar issues when trying to install a charge point? The EV will be parked right next to our boundary (we have a picket fence around the front garden) so its not like anyone will be trying to walk past the car when its plugged in!

Worst case scenario is I take down a section of the fence and say we'll park on the garden, but would prefer to avoid that!

[Mr Pointy]

Is the charger going to be installed within your property boundary & just plugged in to a car outside it or are you asking them to install it on property you don't own?

[normalbloke]

This isn’t going to go well. Most installers will bump you.

[addey]

Charger will be on the wall of the house so that bit it is all good. They are saying that the issue is that the car isn't parked on my property, and therefore the charging cable will end up on/across public property (by less than 12inches!) It isn't crossing a footpath, or pavement or anything like that. Feels like a bit of a "computer says no" situation but I'm hoping they apply some common sense! As far as I can see there is no legal issue over this, only guidelines and best practice

[addey]

normalbloke said:

This isn t going to go well. Most installers will bump you.

Really? Do you know exactly why?

[Skodillac]

How do they know it isn't your property? They can't have look up the land registry, surely? Just tell them it's yours and get them to crack on.

[samoht]

Octopus 'can' do whatever they like, they're a private company.

However if they don't want to, I'd maybe try some smaller local electricians who I would have thought would be more willing to install the charger without worrying overmuch about the legalities of where the car is parked.

[AB]

You can't just get them to install an untethered charger within the boundary? I mean what has it got to do with them where the cable ultimately ends up?

[RobbyJ]

AB said:

You can't just get them to install an untethered charger within the boundary? I mean what has it got to do with them where the cable ultimately ends up?

This! It doesn't sound like a problem at all.

[Durzel]

RobbyJ said:

AB said:

You can't just get them to install an untethered charger within the boundary? I mean what has it got to do with them where the cable ultimately ends up?

This! It doesn't sound like a problem at all.

+1

Get an untethered charger, then there is no issue with the boundary or who owns the land where you park. You could park on next doors garden for all it matters to them (i.e. liability).

[gmaz]

Durzel said:

RobbyJ said:

AB said:

You can't just get them to install an untethered charger within the boundary? I mean what has it got to do with them where the cable ultimately ends up?

This! It doesn't sound like a problem at all.

+1

Get an untethered charger, then there is no issue with the boundary or who owns the land where you park. You could park on next doors garden for all it matters to them (i.e. liability).

What difference does tethered/untethered make? It's up to the owner where they route the cable while charging either way.

[RotorRambler]

gmaz said:

What difference does tethered/untethered make? It's up to the owner where they route the cable while charging either way.

Untethered, their demarcation is at the box.
Tethered, its at the end of the cable.
Maybe!

“ • BS 7671:2022 (18th Edition): EV charging equipment is treated as an appliance; fixed wiring ends at the appliance terminals or the fixed socket outlet.
• IEC 61851 defines tethered cables as part of the equipment.”

Edited by RotorRambler on Monday 24th November 21:04

[Merry]

RobbyJ said:

AB said:

You can't just get them to install an untethered charger within the boundary? I mean what has it got to do with them where the cable ultimately ends up?

This! It doesn't sound like a problem at all.

You'd think, but Octopus were an arse with us about it.

Basically we'd knocked down a wall, laid a driveway and were awaiting the council to do the dropped kerb.

Octopus wouldn't entertain putting the charger in before the kerb was dropped.

I wouldn't be suprised if they're equally as picky in this circumstance.

[Mad Maximus]

I think in this sort of situation it all depends on how you word it. Some companies and some people will always be jobsworths.

If you’ve told them anything other than car will be on your property when charging it leaves it open to interpretation. If the question comes up just use your own common sense and say yes instead of trying to explain it. That ways it’s your problem not theirs.

[ashenfie]

From what you say, you could apply for ownership under the adverse possession laws. As regards being an issue totally depends on your neighbours and council. The council in my area is really bad and made my neighbour remove an unauthorised adjustment/fix to his drop curb even though it was professionally done.

[DaveCWK]

Sounds like it might have ticked the same box on their system as someone requesting a charger just on the front of say a terrace house, in order to charge across a pavement and into the street?

I think i'd maybe scrap the application & just resubmit if possible, & just state it's a charger on the side wall of your house for an adjacent off road parking space, & leave the explanation at that.

[Road2Ruin]

Just tell them you ate parking it on the grass, ad you mentioned. Then don't. Get an untethered charger and buy your own cable. They can be almost as long as you want.

[addey]

Thanks for all the replies! Just to clarify a few points (rather than attempting multiple quotes!) - the reason they know I'm parking outside my boundary is that I had to send photos/videos as part of the pre-installation assessment. At the time I didn't realise it would be an issue. We don't plan to try and claim the land via adverse possession as a) I can't imagine it will be a quick process and I need this sorted before the car comes, and b) we've never had any issues parking there and don't want to rock the boat whereby they may remove our access! Last point someone raised, the charger and install is 'free' as part of the lease package so I'd prefer to use octopus rather than paying for an independent installation.

Octopus are arguing lots of safety/practicality points which I don't think are that relevant in our situation. Yes I can understand if we are crossing a pavement etc. but we're not. Anyway, I'm going to suggest the untethered charger route and see what they say (thanks for that suggestion!). Picture below in case anyone is interested. The EV will be parked in the empty space alongside the fence. The charging cable will literally run over the fence and plug into the car, so won't even be on the ground.

[JQ]

addey said:

We don't plan to try and claim the land via adverse possession

Don't worry, you won't be able to anyway - to claim adverse possession your occupation of the property needs to be "exclusive", ie. 3rd parties can't gain access to the property in question usually by being fenced off, with only you having access.

Hope you get it sorted, the untethered suggestion seems the most sensible way forward.

Also don't forget a charger is not essential, we ran our first EV off a 3 pin plug and only got a charger when the 2nd EV arrived and therefore needed quicker charging speeds to be able to run both cars. As such, it's not essential that it's installed before the car arrives.

[ashenfie]

addey said:

Thanks for all the replies! Just to clarify a few points (rather than attempting multiple quotes!) - the reason they know I'm parking outside my boundary is that I had to send photos/videos as part of the pre-installation assessment. At the time I didn't realise it would be an issue. We don't plan to try and claim the land via adverse possession as a) I can't imagine it will be a quick process and I need this sorted before the car comes, and b) we've never had any issues parking there and don't want to rock the boat whereby they may remove our access! Last point someone raised, the charger and install is 'free' as part of the lease package so I'd prefer to use octopus rather than paying for an independent installation.

Octopus are arguing lots of safety/practicality points which I don't think are that relevant in our situation. Yes I can understand if we are crossing a pavement etc. but we're not. Anyway, I'm going to suggest the untethered charger route and see what they say (thanks for that suggestion!). Picture below in case anyone is interested. The EV will be parked in the empty space alongside the fence. The charging cable will literally run over the fence and plug into the car, so won't even be on the ground.

I can't help you regarding how complex or not Adverse Possession claims are, I only know it exists. I don't really understand the safety point when the Government is pushing cross paving grooves. You have conducted a risk assessment and all looks safe with maybe some sort of pathing cable protector?