How Can Homebuyers Now Check EV Charger Access When House-Hunting?
If you’ve ever scrolled through property listings, you know the drill: bedrooms, bathrooms, maybe a garden, and—if you’re lucky—a floor plan that actually makes sense. But for anyone driving an electric car, there’s been a glaring omission: how easy is it to charge up at your potential new place? That’s finally changing. Zoopla, one of the UK’s biggest property websites, has teamed up with Vauxhall to put EV charging front and center in the home search process.
What’s New in Zoopla’s Listings for Electric Vehicle Owners?
Let’s get straight to the good stuff. Zoopla now shows the distance from every listed home or flat to the nearest public EV charger. This info sits right alongside other essentials like school catchments and train stations. The data comes from Octopus, a well-known energy company, so it’s not just guesswork—it’s reliable and regularly updated.
But there’s more. If you’re set on having your own home charger, you can filter out properties that don’t have one installed. No more clicking through endless listings only to find out you’d have to run an extension cord out the window (not recommended, by the way).
Why Is Proximity to EV Charging Becoming a Dealbreaker?
Here’s where things get interesting. A recent survey backed by Vauxhall found that 40 percent of buyers now consider access to EV charging when deciding where to move. That’s not a small number. And among current EV drivers, a whopping 84 percent said a lack of accessible charging would put them off a property entirely.
It’s not just about convenience. With the UK’s ban on new petrol and diesel car sales looming, today’s homebuyers are thinking long-term. The average UK homeowner stays put for 17 years. So, if you’re buying now, you’ll likely be living with your decision well into the all-electric era.
How Does This Shift Affect the Property Market?
You might think every estate agent is already shouting about EV chargers from the rooftops. Not quite. Zoopla’s own analysis found that just 1.6 percent of listings even mention EV charging capacity. That’s a huge missed opportunity, especially since electric cars now make up about a fifth of all new car sales in the UK, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders.
For property agents and sellers, this is a wake-up call. Highlighting EV charging could make a listing stand out, especially as more buyers put it on their must-have list. It’s not just a nice-to-have anymore—it’s fast becoming essential.
What About Renters and Homes Without Driveways?
Not everyone has the luxury of a private driveway. In fact, around 40 percent of UK households don’t, which makes installing a home charger tricky. That’s where public charging infrastructure comes in. Vauxhall’s Electric Streets of Britain campaign, which underpins this partnership, is all about accelerating the rollout of on-street chargers so that everyone—flat-dwellers, renters, and homeowners alike—can make the switch to electric.
Real-world example: In cities like London and Manchester, local councils are starting to install chargers in lamp posts and curbside spots. It’s not perfect yet, but it’s a step in the right direction.
What Should You Look for When Searching for an EV-Friendly Home?
If you’re in the market for a new place and you drive (or plan to drive) an electric car, here are a few practical tips:
– Use Zoopla’s new filters to find homes with existing chargers or close to public ones.
– Check the charger type and speed—some public chargers are much faster than others.
– Ask about local council plans for expanding charging infrastructure in the area.
– If you’re considering installing your own charger, check with the property’s freeholder or landlord first.
The Bottom Line for Buyers, Sellers, and Agents
The way we buy and sell homes is evolving, and EV charging is quickly moving up the priority list. Whether you’re a buyer, a renter, or an estate agent, it pays to be ahead of the curve. Highlighting EV charging isn’t just a smart move—it could be the difference between a quick sale and a property that lingers on the market.
As electric vehicles become the norm, expect to see even more innovation in how we match homes with the needs of modern drivers. For now, Zoopla’s update is a welcome sign that the property market is finally catching up with the electric revolution. If you’re house-hunting and want to future-proof your next move, it’s never been easier to find a home that keeps you—and your car—fully charged.