Electric vehicles

Types of electric vehicle

Pure-electric vehicles use rechargeable battery packs to drive the vehicle.

Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles mix an internal combustion engine with battery technology, which usually provides pure-electric capability of around 30 miles.

Hybrid vehicles use an internal combustion engine to power a generator, which in turn charges the battery without plug-in capability.

Charging your electric vehicle at home

In Northern Ireland, home-charging is the least expensive way to charge an electric vehicle (EV) because you can use lower home electricity tariffs.

The majority of EV and potential EV owners will have access to a driveway or other off-street place to allow convenient home charging.

To help homeowners without off-street parking to charge their EV at home, the Department for Infrastructure (DfI) will enable cross-pavement charging for those who meet the criteria, either using:

• a cross-pavement channel

or

• a specifically-designed cable protector

Cross-pavement channel

A channel is dug into the footway (footpath) so a cable can be put into it from your property to the kerb.

The cable will be retractable, and the channel is closed when not being used.

Before buying and installing a cable channel, it’s important you consider the costs involved:

• a Streets Work Licence costs £392.68 (other costs may apply during the installation process)
• an EV charger can be up to £1,000

and

• the cost of buying and installing this channel can also cost up to £1,000

This means the total bill could be around £2,392.68.

There is more information and guidance at this link on how you may be able to install a cross-pavement channel:

• Cross-pavement channels for charging electric vehicles

If you are interested in getting a cross-pavement channel, fill out the enquiry form at this link:

• Electric vehicle charging cross-pavement channel enquiry form

Cable protector

A less expensive option to charge your EV at home is a temporary ‘cable protector’. 

This is like those widely used in construction, street works and workplaces to prevent tripping and safely protect cables.

It’s important to note that using cable protectors is a six-month pilot scheme which will be monitored and evaluated. After that period of time, depending on the scheme’s review, you may no longer be able to charge your EV using a cable protector. 

• These cable protectors are relatively low cost around £100 to £200.

The user is solely responsible and liable for the temporary placing and removing the cable protector.

As well as completing an application for ‘consent’, you will need to:

• include a copy of the insurance certificate for third party public liability

and

• provide details of the cable cover or a website link to the cable cover you wish to use 

If you’re interested in using a cable protector to home charge, fill out the application for consent at this link:

• Apply to use an electric vehicle cross-pavement cable protector

Charging your EV at public charge points

In Northern Ireland, several commercial companies own and provide the electric vehicle charge points available to the public.

You can use various online platforms and apps to find these charge points.

Electric bikes

Electric bikes, known as electrically-assisted pedal cycles (EPACs), have a small motor as well as ‘pedal power’.

You can find more information about them on the Electric bikes page.

More useful links

• Electric vehicle charge points and infrastructure grants
• Carbon dioxide and vehicle tax tools
• Office for Zero Emission Vehicles
• Electric vehicles - Consumer Council for NI
• Charging with electric compared to petrol or diesel