The Energy Networks Association (ENA) has confirmed that its Connect Direct platform, a standardised digital application system for low carbon technology (LCT) installations, went live as of May 20241. The platform is operated by the ENA and is used by installers to submit connection applications to distribution network operators (DNOs) on behalf of property owners1.
Under the arrangements described by the ENA, property owners are required to apply to their DNO to install an electric vehicle charge point, and the chosen installer completes the application form on the owner's behalf via Connect Direct1. The ENA states that the DNO must ensure the local electricity network can cope with the increased demand from an added charge point, or an upgrade will be required to accommodate the additional load1. The ENA also describes an automated DNO decision function, under which automated checks based on local DNO thresholds will offer installers immediate application decisions1.
The ENA's published guidance covers domestic charging in some detail. It states that domestic charging points range between 3 and 7 kW, providing 10 to 25 miles of range per hour, and that a dedicated charge point is up to three times faster than a standard household socket (13A)1. It notes that if a vehicle's maximum charge rate is 7 kW, a 22 kW charge point will not charge it faster1. On slower charging, the ENA states that 10 hours of 3 kW night charging can add approximately 100 miles per day, equivalent to 10 miles per hour, totalling 36,500 miles per year, against an average UK driver covering less than 10,000 miles annually1.
| Measure | Figure given by the ENA |
|---|---|
| Domestic charge point output | 3 to 7 kW |
| Range added per hour | 10 to 25 miles |
| 3 kW charging over 10 hours | About 100 miles per day |
| Annual total at that rate | 36,500 miles |
| Average UK driver | Under 10,000 miles per year |
The ENA also describes smart charging, stating it can help owners save money by charging during off-peak hours and can enable the use of time-of-use tariffs1. It describes vehicle-to-grid (V2G) as allowing electric vehicles to send electricity back to the grid when needed, generating cash for the owner, and vehicle-to-home (V2H) as using that energy to power a home rather than delivering it back to the grid1. On installer selection, the ENA advises looking for installers holding certifications from government-approved registering bodies, and notes that certified schemes such as EVCC and HIES provide insurance protection and dispute resolution for customers choosing their member installers1.
Why it matters for households
A charge point installation is a connection to the local network, not just a piece of equipment on a wall, and the DNO has to confirm the network can carry the extra load or require an upgrade1. Connect Direct is the route through which that check is submitted, with the installer acting for the property owner1. The ENA's stated aim of automated decisions based on local thresholds is intended to shorten the wait for an answer1. For a household, the practical questions are whether the existing supply can take the charge point without an upgrade, and whether load limiting can avoid one: the ENA states that an EV is likely to be the largest single electricity draw in a home, and that load limiting can allow installation without upgrading the home by temporarily stopping and restarting the charger, with minimal impact on an overnight session1. Charging at off-peak times and on time-of-use tariffs is presented by the ENA as a way to lower running costs, and V2G and V2H as emerging options that could turn a car battery into a source of power for the grid or the home1. The regulation and policy framework behind these connection rules sits with the DNOs and the ENA.
What happens next
The ENA states that its collaborative work with the IET seeks to update comprehensive guidance on LCT diversification, and that this document will standardise the diversification process and the calculation of maximum demand within domestic properties1. It also states that guidance covering the suitability of cut-outs and service cable types, intended to help DNOs and LCT installers avoid overloading and damage, forms part of its work programme1. The ENA says its transport connections guidance is now live, covering illustrative case studies from transport and fleet operators1. No dates for the publication of the IET diversification guidance have been reported1.
Sources1 cited
- LCT Strategy, Energy Networks Association (ENA), energynetworks.org