Can an EV charging cable be left on the ground?

SallyDucati

Hi,

I'm seriously thinking about changing to a PHEV car (yes I have seen the recent thread on hybrids).  I'm OK with needing to plug my car in every night.

My issue is that my parking is at the end of my garden (not a huge one, fence about 15ft from the back of the house).   I'm thinking it may be possible to have a charging point on the back of my house, and use a long cable that I can run along the flowerbed and through a hole in the bottom of the fence to where the car is.

Does anyone see any problems with this?  I'm not sure about leaving the cable lying on the soil, and if that is possible.

If this is a completely ridiculous idea feel free to tell me so!  I'm just trying to work out how I can do it without digging my garden up.

TIA

CKhalvashi

You cannot have a cable crossing a footpath.

If you are not planning to do this, I see no issue with that arrangement. Ensure you can bring the cable in when not in use to avoid someone enterprising using your electricity.

We have a similar arrangement due to not having a front driveway. but my parking is directly at the rear of the house with no public footpath or road to cross.

Herzlos

If you're crossing a path with a cable, then the safest thing to do is to have some kind of enclosed ramp/cover to stop people tripping over it:

https://www.screwfix.com/p/coba-europe-cablepro-gp1-medium-duty-cable-cover-3m-black-yellow/984fx

Technically, you should check with the local council to see if you need permission first though.

Penguin_

A couple of cars near me have the cable covers that Herzlos has linked running over the pavement & they have wrapped them in illuminous yellow plastic so it stands out.  

MX5huggy

No problem charge point attached to the house, you can choose a untethered charge point then get a 10m (7.5 or 5 are also common) cable to run to the car. 

The charge points are in different places on different cars so consider that. If you are limited on the orientation of the car when you park it. 

I’m presuming the car is parked on your land and your not trailing the cable over a public foot path. 

Oh and just get a straight EV.😝

Keep_pedalling

No problem with the cable being on the ground, unless it is a trip hazard. The cables are designed to be used in all weathers so being on damp soil is not going to be an issue.

SallyDucati

Thanks everyone!  

It won't be going over any public footpaths thankfully.  I'll need to look into stopping other 'enterprising' people using my electricity, I think you can get charge points that can control that?  Something else to consider!

Oh and re getting a straight EV, I don't want to go for that until the public charging network is better supplied.  Just my view.  My sister has an EV and has such a faff anytime she goes somewhere a distance from her home.

bengalknights

SallyDucati said:

Thanks everyone!  

It won't be going over any public footpaths thankfully.  I'll need to look into stopping other 'enterprising' people using my electricity, I think you can get charge points that can control that?  Something else to consider!

Oh and re getting a straight EV, I don't want to go for that until the public charging network is better supplied.  Just my view.  My sister has an EV and has such a faff anytime she goes somewhere a distance from her home.

Or just turn the fuse off when not in use

DrEskimo

Have you considered running an armoured cable under ground along your garden, and then having a charger installed at the bottom of the garden instead?

Could then fabricate a little locked box that the charger sits in, so that you can access it from outside the garden and plug in when you need to.

silvercar

We turn the fuse off when we go away.

SallyDucati

DrEskimo said:

Have you considered running an armoured cable under ground along your garden, and then having a charger installed at the bottom of the garden instead?

Could then fabricate a little locked box that the charger sits in, so that you can access it from outside the garden and plug in when you need to.

Is an idea, but unfortunately that would involve digging up my garden, which I'd rather not do if I can help it.