Can I charge my electric vehicle using a 3-pin socket?

Yes, although only recommended in an emergency, for several reasons:

• Charging times are very slow and it is likely to take almost 3 times as long to charge your vehicle compared to a 7kW home/commercial chargepoint.

• The constant electrical load drawn by an electric vehicle over the charging period can put a significant strain on home electricity networks, with overheating of cables a possibility.

• If you are parking on-street and charging with a cable to your home socket, you may be trailing cables across footpaths and other shared spaces. This is in breach of Part IX of the Highways Act (1980) and creates a trip hazard and nuisance for pedestrians, especially for wheelchairs and buggies.