Quick answer: is there a maximum distance?
There is no simple rule that says a home EV charger must be within 5 metres, 10 metres or 20 metres of the consumer unit. A charger can often be installed much farther away, including in a detached garage or at a parking area away from the house. The important question is whether the circuit can be designed safely for the actual distance, load, cable type, installation method, voltage drop, fault protection and physical route.
For a typical 7 kW single phase home charger, the circuit normally carries around 32 A for long periods. That continuous load is why an electrician should not choose a cable simply because a particular size is commonly used on short installations. As the route gets longer, voltage drop increases. The cable size, route and protective arrangements may therefore need to change.
A 30 metre run is not automatically a problem. Neither is 40 metres or more. We regularly assess installations where the parking space or garage is well away from the consumer unit. The job simply needs to be designed rather than guessed.
Why the distance matters more for EV charging than many people expect
An EV charge point can draw a substantial current for several hours at a time. That is different from many household appliances that operate intermittently or for relatively short periods. The IET has highlighted that EV charging is a long duration, constant power load, which makes correct cable design particularly important.
Authority source: IET guidance on domestic EV charging cable design
The farther electricity travels through a cable, the more voltage is lost along that cable. That loss is called voltage drop. Increasing conductor size reduces the resistance of the cable and can help keep the voltage at the charge point within an acceptable range.
Distance also changes the practical installation. A cable that only crosses a garage wall is very different from one that has to leave the house, travel around a granite gable, cross a garden, enter an underground duct and then rise into a detached garage. The electrical design and the physical protection of the cable both matter.
Does an EV charger have to be next to the consumer unit?
No. The charger is normally installed where the car can be parked and connected safely and conveniently. The consumer unit may be at the opposite side of the house.
A good survey therefore looks at two positions. First, where can the charger sensibly go? Second, how can a suitable circuit get from the electrical supply to that position? Sometimes the shortest electrical route is not the best finished route. A slightly longer route through a loft, garage or service area can be neater and less disruptive than chasing walls through finished rooms.
This is especially relevant in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire. Solid granite walls, extensions, detached garages, long rural driveways and meter positions at the opposite side of a property can all make the obvious straight line route impractical.
Typical EV charger cable runs: what changes as the distance increases?
| Approximate route | What it often means | What needs particular attention |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 5 m | Usually a straightforward route if the charger and supply are close | Cable method, protection, earthing, charger location |
| 5 to 15 m | Very common domestic installation | Route, current capacity, voltage drop, penetrations |
| 15 to 30 m | Still routine when properly designed | Voltage drop becomes more influential; cable size and route need calculation |
| 30 to 50 m | Often practical, especially for detached garages and rural properties | Larger cable may be appropriate; underground or external protection may add cost |
| 50 m+ | Possible in some installations but should never be treated as a standard package | Full design, supply conditions, voltage drop, protective devices, route and economics |
Those distances are not regulatory limits. They are a practical way of explaining why a quote based only on the charger model can be misleading. Two customers buying the same 7 kW charger can require very different installations.
What size cable is needed for a 7 kW EV charger?
This is one of the most searched EV installation questions, but there is no responsible one size fits all answer. Many 7 kW domestic charging circuits use 6 mm² cable in suitable circumstances, but that does not mean 6 mm² is automatically correct for every 7 kW charger or every route.
Cable selection depends on the design current, protective device, cable construction, installation method, ambient temperature, grouping with other circuits, thermal insulation, route length, voltage drop, fault conditions, manufacturer requirements and the way the cable is terminated. A longer run may make 10 mm² or another design solution appropriate. In some circumstances a different installation method changes the answer even when the distance is identical.
This is why an online statement such as ‘7 kW charger equals 6 mm² cable’ should be treated as a starting assumption, not a design calculation.
What is voltage drop and why does it matter?
Voltage drop is the reduction in voltage between the origin of the electrical installation and the equipment using the electricity. It is caused by the impedance of the conductors. Longer cables have more impedance, so voltage drop generally increases with distance and current.
The IET explains that BS 7671 gives recommended voltage drop values, but the connected equipment and its product requirements also matter. For a low voltage installation supplied from the public network, the commonly referenced recommended maximum for loads other than lighting is 5 percent. That does not mean an EV circuit should simply be designed to use the whole 5 percent allowance.
Some EV charge points incorporate open PEN protection that monitors voltage at the charge point. The IET has specifically warned that designing an EV circuit with excessive voltage drop can contribute to unwanted operation of this protection when the incoming network voltage is already at the lower end of its permitted range.
Technical source: IET: How voltage drop can affect EV charging point open PEN detection devices
In plain English, the cable should not merely be large enough to avoid overheating. The electrician also needs to consider the voltage that will actually be available at the charger when it is operating at full load.
Will a long cable run make my EV charge more slowly?
Not if the installation is correctly designed and the charger is able to deliver its intended output. A properly designed 7 kW circuit can still provide the charger’s normal output even when the consumer unit is a considerable distance away.
The solution to a long route is not to accept excessive voltage drop. It is to design the circuit appropriately. That can mean using a larger conductor, changing the cable route, reviewing the installation method or considering another suitable design.
Charging speed can still be limited for other reasons. The car may have a lower AC charging limit. The charger may be using dynamic load management because the house is already drawing heavily. The electricity network connection may impose constraints. Smart tariff schedules can also control when and how quickly charging occurs.
Can I put an EV charger in a detached garage?
Yes, in many cases. A detached garage is one of the most common reasons for a longer EV charger cable run. The main consumer unit might be in the house while the car is parked 15, 25 or 40 metres away.
The first question is whether the garage already has an electrical supply. An existing garage circuit is not automatically suitable for an EV charger. Its cable size, protective device, earthing arrangement, condition, maximum demand and voltage drop need to be assessed. A small garage supply installed for a light and a few sockets should not simply have a 7 kW charger added to it.
Sometimes the best solution is a new dedicated circuit from the house. In other cases the existing garage distribution arrangement can form part of a compliant design after assessment or alteration. The answer depends on what is actually installed.
For rural Aberdeenshire properties, detached garages and workshops can be a significant distance from the house. That does not rule out home charging. It means the survey needs accurate measurements and good photographs of both ends of the proposed route.
Can the EV charger cable be buried underground?
Yes. Underground routes are common when a charger is on a detached garage, post or parking area. The cable and installation method must be suitable for the environment and protected from foreseeable damage.
Steel wire armoured cable is frequently used for external and underground electrical distribution because it can provide robust mechanical protection when correctly selected and installed. It is not the only possible cable solution, and the design still has to account for current carrying capacity, voltage drop, earthing and termination requirements.
The IET Code of Practice for Electric Vehicle Charging Equipment Installation includes specific guidance on cable selection and buried cables. It states that cable type and conductor size should be selected for protection against electric shock, overcurrent protection and voltage drop, with reference to BS 7671 or manufacturer data.
Authority source: IET Code of Practice for EV Charging Equipment Installation
If a trench is being opened for landscaping or driveway work, it is worth discussing the EV route before the ground is reinstated. Coordinating ducting and cable routes at the right stage can avoid paying to excavate the same area twice.
Can I run an EV charger cable around the outside of the house?
Often, yes. External routing can be one of the neatest ways to avoid disturbing internal decoration. The cable still needs to be suitable for the environment and installed with appropriate mechanical protection and support.
On a granite house, the neatest route is not always the shortest route. Drilling through thick granite purely to save a few metres can create more disruption than taking a carefully planned external route to a more suitable entry point. This is one reason a photograph only price based on straight line distance can be inaccurate.
The finished appearance matters too. A technically compliant installation can still look poor if the route has not been planned. We consider the route before installation so the customer understands where the cable will be visible.
Can the cable cross a driveway or path?
A permanent EV supply cable should not simply be left loose across a driveway or pedestrian route. Where a fixed cable has to cross an area used by vehicles or people, the installation needs a suitable protected route.
Do not confuse the fixed electrical supply cable with the flexible charging lead between the wallbox and the vehicle. The charging lead also needs to be positioned so it does not create an avoidable trip hazard or get repeatedly driven over unless the equipment and arrangement are designed for that use.
For homes without off street parking, cross pavement charging introduces additional considerations involving the local authority and the design of any cable channel. The IET published detailed 2026 guidance on cable channels embedded within pavements, including electrical design, current carrying capacity, voltage drop and accessibility considerations.
Further reading: IET: EV charging cable channels embedded within the pavement
Does a longer EV charger cable run cost more?
Usually, yes, but distance is only part of the cost. More cable means more material and installation time. A longer circuit may also require a larger conductor after calculation. Underground work, ducting, difficult access, granite drilling, fire stopping, containment and making good can all affect the final price.
The most expensive 20 metre route can cost more than an easy 40 metre route. A straight external run with good access is very different from a route that crosses finished rooms, a driveway and a solid wall.
This is why Faithful Spark Electricians surveys the proposed cable route before giving a firm installation price. For many straightforward homes, that survey can be completed remotely using clear photographs, measurements and a short video.
Related guide: Can an EV charger survey be done remotely?
What information does an electrician need for a long cable run?
A useful survey is much more than a photograph of the wall where the charger will go. For a longer route, the electrician needs to understand the whole installation.
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Consumer unit location and clear photographs of the board and labels.
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Meter and supply equipment, without opening or disturbing sealed network equipment.
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Approximate route length measured along the route the cable would actually take.
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Photographs or video of the proposed route from the supply to the charger.
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Any walls, floors, lofts, garages, ducts, gardens or driveways the route must cross.
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Parking position and the preferred charger location.
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Whether the garage or outbuilding already has an electrical supply.
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Any solar PV, battery storage, electric heating, heat pump or other significant electrical loads.
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Vehicle model and expected charger power where known.
Customers should never remove the cover from a consumer unit, open a DNO cut out, break seals or interfere with meter equipment to obtain survey photographs. A photograph of the accessible exterior and labels is sufficient for the remote stage. Electrical verification and testing are carried out by the electrician.
Does the main fuse size affect a long EV charger installation?
Yes, but the main fuse rating is only one part of the supply assessment. A 7 kW single phase charger is roughly a 32 A load, so the electrician needs to consider the maximum demand of the property and the available network connection.
Dynamic load management can allow a smart charger to reduce its output when household demand is high. That can be extremely useful, but it does not remove the need for proper circuit design or the required network process.
The Energy Networks Association states that the network operator must be informed of EV charge point installations. Depending on the connection and maximum demand, the process may be connect and notify or may require approval before connection. ENA Connect Direct is now the standard digital route for domestic low carbon technology applications.
Network guidance: Energy Networks Association: Connecting electric vehicles to the networks
Application platform: ENA Connect Direct
Does the consumer unit need upgrading because the charger is far away?
Distance by itself does not mean the consumer unit needs replacing. A long cable route affects circuit design, but the condition and suitability of the existing consumer unit are separate questions.
An electrician will assess whether there is a suitable way to supply and protect the new circuit, whether the existing equipment is compatible with the proposed work, and whether any defects need attention. In some homes a separate EV consumer unit or other distribution arrangement may be appropriate. In others, the existing board can accommodate the circuit.
An older consumer unit is not automatically unsafe simply because it is old, and the publication of newer editions of BS 7671 does not retrospectively make every older installation non compliant. The proposed addition does, however, need to be designed safely with the existing installation taken into account.
Related FSE guide: Does my consumer unit need upgrading for an EV charger?
What about BS 7671 Amendment 4 in 2026?
BS 7671:2018+A4:2026 was published on 15 April 2026. There is a six month transition period. The previous Brown Book version remains valid until 15 October 2026, after which Amendment 4 must be used for relevant new work. During the transition, installers may work to either valid edition.
Official IET transition guidance: Ensure you are up to date with BS 7671
That distinction matters because it would be inaccurate in September 2026 to say that every installation must already use Amendment 4. It is published and available, but the transition period has not yet ended.
How far can a tethered charging lead reach from the wallbox to the car?
This is a different distance from the fixed cable run between the consumer unit and the charger. A wallbox may be 30 metres electrically from the consumer unit while its tethered lead to the car is only 5 metres or 8 metres.
Choose the wallbox position so the charging lead comfortably reaches the vehicle’s charge port in the way the car is normally parked. Do not plan on stretching the lead tight across the driveway. Think about whether a future vehicle might have its charge port in a different position.
If you regularly reverse into the drive, show that in the survey. A charger positioned for a front mounted charge port can become irritating if the next car has the port at the rear quarter.
Is 6 mm² SWA enough for a 7 kW EV charger over 30 metres?
It might be in some designs, and it might not be in others. The correct answer requires calculation and knowledge of the installation method. Cable size cannot safely be selected from distance and charger power alone.
For example, the same nominal cable can have different current carrying capability depending on whether it is clipped direct, buried, enclosed, grouped with other circuits or affected by thermal insulation and ambient temperature. Voltage drop also changes with conductor size and length.
If you are a homeowner comparing quotes, a more useful question is: ‘Has the installer calculated the cable for this actual route and charger?’ That is more meaningful than asking whether one cable size is always correct.
Can a 7 kW charger be 50 metres from the house?
Potentially, yes. A 50 metre route is not automatically too far. It is simply beyond the kind of installation that should be priced as a short standard cable run without design work.
The installer needs to consider the supply voltage, design current, cable size, voltage drop, protective devices, fault conditions, route, mechanical protection and cost. If the charger is at a separate building, the earthing arrangement and any other electrical services at that building also need careful consideration.
In some cases, increasing the conductor size makes a long run perfectly practical. In others, the cost of trenching or cable may make an alternative charger position more sensible. The survey is there to find the best overall solution, not merely the shortest route on a tape measure.
Can a 22 kW charger be installed a long way from the consumer unit?
Yes in principle, but a 22 kW AC charger is a very different proposition from a typical 7 kW domestic charger. It normally requires a suitable three phase supply and draws roughly 32 A per phase at full output. The property’s connection, maximum demand and network approval therefore become particularly important.
The vehicle must also be capable of accepting 22 kW AC charging to benefit from that output. Many cars cannot. Installing a 22 kW wallbox does not guarantee the car will charge at 22 kW.
For a long three phase run, the cable still has to be selected for current capacity, voltage drop, fault protection and the installation environment. Commercial sites may also require load management where several charge points share the available capacity.
What is the best route for an EV charger in an Aberdeen granite house?
There is no universal route, but minimising unnecessary disturbance is usually more important than forcing the shortest possible cable path. Granite can be exceptionally hard to drill, and wall construction can be much thicker than it appears from inside the property.
Depending on the building, options can include a discreet external route, a route through a garage, loft or service void, or an underground route to a detached garage. The correct choice depends on access and the finish the homeowner wants.
Older Aberdeen properties can also have electrical arrangements that have evolved over decades. Extensions, converted garages, older fuse boxes and separate supplies to outbuildings are common enough that assumptions are risky. A good survey saves surprises on installation day.
How do we quote a long EV charger cable run?
For straightforward homes, we can often quote from a remote survey. We need clear photographs, an accurate route measurement and enough video to understand the physical path. If anything about the supply, earthing, route or existing installation is uncertain, we may recommend a site visit before fixing the price.
The quote should make clear what is included. That can include the charger, EV circuit, protective equipment, cable length allowance, containment, drilling, external work and any separately priced groundworks or remedial work.
A cheap quote that assumes five metres of cable is not cheap if your actual route is 28 metres and the extras only appear after the job starts. The useful comparison is the complete designed installation.
Frequently asked questions about EV charger cable distance
What is the maximum distance between an EV charger and consumer unit?
There is no single maximum distance that applies to every domestic installation. The circuit must be designed for its actual length, current, cable type, route, voltage drop and protective requirements.
Can an EV charger be 20 metres from the consumer unit?
Yes, very often. Twenty metres is a normal design problem rather than an unusual obstacle. The electrician still needs to calculate the circuit and assess the route.
Can an EV charger be 30 metres from the house?
Yes, in many properties. Detached garages and parking areas commonly create runs in this range. Cable sizing, voltage drop and physical protection become increasingly important.
Can an EV charger be 50 metres away?
Potentially yes. A 50 metre run needs proper design and may require a larger cable or more substantial installation work. The distance itself is not an automatic prohibition.
Does the charger have to be near the electricity meter?
No. The meter location and consumer unit location influence the route, but the charge point is normally positioned where the vehicle can be connected safely and conveniently.
Does a long EV cable waste electricity?
Every cable has losses, and longer conductors have greater resistance. Correct conductor sizing keeps voltage drop and losses within the design requirements. The answer is to design the circuit properly rather than accept an undersized cable.
Can I use an extension lead instead of installing a charger farther away?
A dedicated charge point is the appropriate solution for regular faster home charging. Ordinary extension leads are not a substitute for a properly designed fixed EV charging installation.
Can the charger use the cable already feeding my garage?
Sometimes, but only after assessment. An existing garage supply may have been designed for much smaller loads and may not be suitable for a sustained EV charging load.
Will I need a bigger main fuse?
Not necessarily. The installer assesses maximum demand, supply capacity and load management. Any network application or supply work is dealt with through the appropriate DNO process.
Can solar panels feed a charger in a detached garage?
Potentially. Solar aware charging is possible, but the electrical design depends on where the generation, charger and metering equipment are connected. It should be assessed as a complete system.
Can a home battery and EV charger share the same cheap overnight tariff?
That depends on the electricity tariff, battery controls and charger. Some tariffs provide a cheap whole home window while others discount only managed EV charging. Check the current tariff terms rather than assuming the whole house receives the EV rate.
Do you install long cable run EV chargers in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire?
Yes. Faithful Spark Electricians installs home and commercial EV charging across Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire, including properties with detached garages, long routes and more complex cable paths.
The practical answer
If your parking space is a long way from the consumer unit, do not assume that home charging is impossible. In most cases, distance is a design and installation cost question rather than a hard limit.
The safest approach is to measure the real cable route, not the straight line distance, and let a qualified installer assess the supply and design the circuit. That is particularly important for detached garages, rural properties, granite homes and routes that need underground cabling.
Faithful Spark Electricians is an NICEIC Approved Contractor and an approved installer for Tesla and Easee. We also install leading home EV charging equipment including Ohme, myenergi Zappi and Hypervolt. We cover Aberdeen, Peterhead, Ellon, Fraserburgh, Mintlaw, Balmedie, Westhill and surrounding Aberdeenshire.
EV charger installation in Aberdeen: View our EV charger installation service
Call 07304 027013 or visit faithfulsparkelectricians.co.uk
