How important is it for social homes to include EV charge points?

Over a quarter (26.5%) of new cars registered for the first time in the UK in May 2026 were electric vehicles (EVs), up from 21.3% in May 2025*. With the sale of new petrol and diesel cars set to end in 2030, we can expect this number to grow over the coming years.

Rising fuel prices mean that EVs can provide savings compared to petrol or diesel vehicles. They also offer protection against price increases, making them a more appealing option for many. While the upfront cost is currently still higher, prices are starting to even out across both new and used markets, supported by government incentives.

This is particularly relevant for people using Motability – the scheme enabling disabled people, their families and their carers to lease a new car open to recipients of certain disability benefit – where many of the cars on offer are now electric. For these residents, having a simple, accessible and reliable way to charge at home or nearby is essential.

Last year, research by the Energy Saving Trust found that EV infrastructure remains a low priority for most social housing providers. Regulations introduced in 2021 require all new buildings and those undergoing major renovations to install EV charge points. However, there are relatively few installations at existing social homes.

Progress is often slowed by a range of barriers, including limited access to funding and infrastructure challenges such as grid capacity and parking availability. Demand may start off slowly, which can make it harder to justify early investment, particularly as investment is often required ahead of need.

The opportunities for social housing providers

For social housing providers, installing EV infrastructure is a practical way to improve homes. It enables convenient, affordable charging for residents who may not otherwise be able to consider an EV. Social housing providers have a key role to play in ensuring the transition is fair and inclusive.

Early investment can help avoid more expensive retrofitting later, while also protecting the long-term value and appeal of homes. Retrofitting sites can be more expensive due to the need to upgrade electricity supplies or carry out disruptive groundworks. Including EV infrastructure as part of planned maintenance or refurbishment works can help reduce disruption and costs.
Installing chargers with load management or smart systems can help reduce the need for some of the electricity network upgrades. There is also potential to link EV charging with other technology, such as solar panels and battery storage, creating more efficient and resilient local energy systems.

Partnering with charge point operators can help reduce upfront costs and risk, as well as support the ongoing management of the infrastructure.
For those social housing providers with their own fleets, running EVs can result in 50-70% lower energy costs and 20-40% reductions in scheduled servicing and maintenance costs.**

Funding and government policy

Financial support is available, with grants helping to cover the cost of installing charge points in workplaces and homes. People living in rented accommodation, flat owners, residential landlords, households with on-street parking and businesses can receive grants of up to £500 per charge point socket.

The government is expected to consult on ways to make it easier for renters and leaseholders to install EV charge points at home. The government is also consulting on amendments to the Building Regulations Part S, with the aim of increasing chargers in new buildings and those undergoing major renovations.

We’re also expecting the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) to publish best practice guidance on installing EV charge points alongside wider Decent Home Standard guidance. While MHCLG and the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) are reforming domestic Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs). This will introduce four new headline metrics to better reflect a building's overall energy performance, including the role of bidirectional EV charge points.
As more people switch to EVs, early action allows housing providers to plan ahead, access funding, and deliver long-term value for both their organisations and their residents.

*Produced by DfT using DVLA vehicle registration data and monthly SMMT figures.

** Source: Fleet forward: powering the transition to electric mobility