EV home charging · Hampshire

Can you charge an EV without a driveway in Hampshire?

Hampshire gives safety guidance for temporary surface cables and currently requires no EV cable licence. It provides no written approval and can require unsafe cables to be removed. Installed gullies and channels remain prohibited.

Check your postcode and property →

Current scheme status

Protected temporary-cable route

Temporary cable guidance - no written approval; channels prohibited

Where the scheme applies

Hampshire County Council highway area; excludes Southampton, Portsmouth and the Isle of Wight

Published cost position

No EV cable licence currently required; resident supplies equipment and remains responsible for liability

Funding position

Temporary cable covers do not qualify for the national cross-pavement chargepoint grant.

Your practical route

What to do next in Hampshire

Use only the temporary cable arrangement the council publishes, and remove it after every charging session.

Check planning and land ownershipAsk the district planning authority about the home charger. A private footpath owner may have different rules; Hampshire cannot supply written footway approval.
Follow the temporary-cable guidancePark legally on the same side. Keep the cable flat; a protector should cover the full footway and verge. Do not hang cables from upper floors or street furniture.
Remove the cable after chargingCheck equipment instructions with an electrician and confirm insurance cover. Remove the cable whenever the vehicle is not charging; an unsuitable arrangement can be required to be removed.

Site and policy checks

What could prevent the project?

Likely barriers

Installed cable gullies or pavement channels are not permitted
A cable across the road, obstructed footway or unsafe equipment
An installer requiring written council approval that Hampshire cannot provide

Does no Hampshire cable licence mean my charger is approved?

No. The council’s no-licence position is qualified safety guidance, not written approval of your installation. Planning, the landowner’s rules and liability still need attention. The county can act against an unsuitable cable.

Official source

Confirm the current council position

Hampshire publishes temporary surface-cable guidance, requires no current EV cable licence and gives no written approval. It can require unsuitable cables to be removed and does not permit installed gullies or channels.

Source last checked: 21 October 2026. This independent guide cannot grant highway permission or reserve a parking space.