Fitting a driveway bollard near an electric car charger

If you've got an electric car, you've probably got a home charger, and quite possibly a newer, high-value car that's worth protecting. A bollard makes sense. But there's one thing to sort out first: where the charger cable runs.

Why charger cables matter

Most home chargers are mounted on the house wall, with the cable running inside or along the wall. Those rarely affect a bollard.

But some chargers are mounted on a post or pillar on the drive, or on a garage or outbuilding away from the house. In those cases, a cable often runs underground across the drive or garden to reach it.

That cable belongs to you, not a utility company. So it won't appear on any utility plan, including an LSBUD search. If nobody asks, nobody knows it's there.

How we place a bollard near a charger

1. We ask. Where's the charger, where's your consumer unit, and does a cable run underground? Your installer's paperwork or invoice often shows the route.
2. We look. Your photos usually show where the cable leaves the house and where it reaches the charger.
3. We scan. A charger cable is a live power cable, so it's usually detectable with a cable avoidance tool when the charger is connected.
4. We keep clear. We place the post well away from the likely cable route, and dig carefully if it's anywhere near.

Placing the post so you can still charge

A bollard should stop the car leaving the drive without getting in the way of charging. Before we fit, we'll check:

• the charging lead can still reach the car's charge port with the post up
• you can open the door on the charging side and plug in comfortably
• the post doesn't sit where you'd trip over the cable

If you're planning to have a charger fitted later, tell us. We'll leave room for it.

Electric cars and theft

Keyless entry is common on electric cars, and keyless cars can be vulnerable to relay theft. Our keyless car theft guide explains how it works and the simple steps that help.

Questions people ask

Can you fit a bollard if the charger cable runs under the drive? Usually yes. We'll find a position clear of the cable.

Should I switch the charger off while you work? We'll ask you to leave it connected while we scan, as a live cable is easier to detect. Then we may ask you to isolate it while we dig nearby.

Will a bollard affect my charger's warranty? No, as long as the cable and charger aren't disturbed.

Send us a photo of your drive for a fixed price