Charger on a Post or on the Wall: Which Is Right for Your Drive?

Most home chargers in London go on the front wall of the house, but on some drives a free standing post is the better choice. The right answer depends on where you park, how far the charger is from the consumer unit, and how the cable will reach the car. This guide walks through both options.

Wall mounted chargers

A wall mounted charger is the most common setup. It is fixed to the front or side of the house, close to where the car parks, with the cable run inside or along the wall back to the consumer unit.

• Usually the simplest and cheapest installation.
• Short cable runs when the board is near the front of the house.
• Out of the way of the car and less likely to be hit.
• Works well for terraces and semis with a drive directly in front.

Post or pedestal chargers

A post mounted charger stands on its own, usually on a small concrete base, with the supply cable buried underground from the house.

• Useful where the parking space is away from the house, such as a long drive, a rear garage or a parking bay across a path.
• Lets the charger sit right next to the car so the charging cable is not stretched across a path or lawn.
• Needs a trench for the supply cable, which adds time and cost, and the ground has to be made good afterwards.
• Often chosen for shared driveways and small business car parks.

Cable runs and trip hazards

The charging lead should never cross a public pavement. In London that rules out home charging for many terraced streets without off street parking, unless the council provides on street options. On your own drive, place the charger so the lead reaches the car's charging port without trailing across a walkway.

Tethered or untethered

Whichever mounting you choose, you can have a tethered charger with the cable fixed on, or an untethered one where you plug in your own cable. Tethered is quicker day to day; untethered looks tidier and suits households with more than one type of car.

Before you choose

Both options need a dedicated circuit, suitable protection and the right earthing arrangement, and the consumer unit has to be able to take the new circuit. Our guide to whether you need a new consumer unit for an EV charger covers that first check. An EICR of the existing installation can also pick up anything that needs fixing first.

Book a survey

Energy North Ltd installs wall and post mounted chargers across North, East and West London. Our City & Guilds certified electricians survey the drive, the supply and the board, then recommend the best position. See our EV charger installation page to get started.