EV site assessment
Early-stage assessment of whether a site can host EV charging — power, traffic, planning, accessibility.
EV site assessment is the work that determines whether a site can host charging infrastructure — and what that would cost in broad strokes. Before detailed design starts, before grid connection applications go in, before site capex is committed.
We deliver EV site assessments covering grid capacity, site geometry, planning constraints, and indicative cost. The output is decision-ready: enough detail to commit to detailed design, walk away, or scope a different site.
What an assessment actually answers
A productive site assessment answers six questions:
1. Is the existing grid connection sufficient, and if not, what’s the upgrade path? Most sites either have headroom for chargers or don’t. The honest answer matters — sites where “we’ll just upgrade the supply” turns into a 9-month grid connection saga aren’t viable for the project’s timeline.
2. Does the proposed charger count and configuration physically fit? Vehicle access geometry, queueing space, pedestrian routes, accessibility — these are spatial constraints that don’t always survive a desktop site review.
3. What planning constraints apply? Local plan compatibility, conservation overlays, listed building proximity, accessibility requirements, signage rules.
4. What’s the cost order-of-magnitude? Capex split across charger hardware, civils, electrical, grid connection, and site works.
5. What’s the realistic timeline? Permits, grid connection lead times, equipment delivery, build duration. The headline timeline is grid-connection-driven for most non-trivial sites.
6. What are the risks? Specific issues that could derail the project — third-party access, environmental, operational constraints, neighbour objections.
What’s covered
Across UK and US sites, a typical assessment covers:
- Power capacity — existing supply, headroom, distance to viable upgrade points, indicative grid connection cost
- Site geometry — fit assessment for the proposed charger count and configuration, vehicle and pedestrian flow, accessibility compliance
- Planning environment — local plan compatibility, planning permission triggers, special-area constraints
- Civils — foundation suitability, drainage implications, ducting routes
- Operational — utilisation modelling against the use case (forecourt vs depot vs urban), payment and access integration
- Indicative cost — capex range with breakdown by category
Markets and standards
We work to:
- UK — DNO and IDNO connection processes (Western Power Distribution, UKPN, SP Energy Networks, Northern Powergrid, etc.), BS 7671, Building Regulations Part S (EV charge points), local planning authority standards
- US — utility-by-utility interconnection (each state and utility has distinct processes), NEC, Building Code, ADA accessibility, state and city EV charging standards
Inputs we need
A productive assessment runs on:
- Site address and proposed use — forecourt, depot, retail, motorway services, urban, residential
- Proposed charger configuration — types (AC / DC), count, power level
- Existing site context — current use, surface area, owner / leaseholder structure
- Operational expectations — utilisation profile, hours of operation, customer / driver type
- Site documentation where available — site plans, electrical schematics, lease
Output
A typical assessment delivers:
- Executive summary with go / no-go / re-scope recommendation
- Technical findings across power, civils, planning, operational
- Cost model with breakdown and sensitivity
- Risk register with mitigations
- Recommended next steps — proceed to design, request alternative configuration, walk away
Common pitfalls in outsourced site assessment
Optimistic grid headroom assumptions. Existing supply data isn’t always reliable. We assess realistically — flagging headroom as conditional on confirmation rather than treating it as certain.
Generic cost models. Cost ranges that don’t adjust for site type, geography, or charger spec produce numbers the client can’t action. We build per-site cost ranges with explicit drivers.
Skipping planning depth. “Planning shouldn’t be an issue” is the assumption that bites projects 4 months in. We screen planning constraints properly, including specific-area overlays, even where the headline planning class is favourable.
Typical timelines
- Single site, simple configuration — 1-2 weeks
- Multi-site programme assessment — 3-8 weeks depending on scale
- Complex site with grid connection complications — 3-4 weeks (grid feasibility takes time)
How we deliver
Site assessment runs onshore-led with offshore production support for spatial analysis and cost model build-out. The judgement layer — grid headroom realism, planning risk, operational fit — sits with senior engineers.
Talk to us about a site assessment
Tell us the site, the proposed configuration, and the timeline. We’ll scope and price within two business days for typical sites; multi-site programmes warrant a scoping call.
Typical deliverables
- Power capacity and grid feasibility assessment
- Site layout suitability for charger types and counts
- Traffic and access analysis
- Planning and consents pre-screen
- Indicative cost model with sensitivity
- Risk register and decision-ready report
Who buys this
EV charging operators, fleet operators, property owners, retail and forecourt site owners, and developers scoping a site before committing to design or capex.
Talk to us about delivery options
Tell us what you need delivered, what your timeline is, and what format the downstream team needs the output in. We'll come back with scope, price range, and proposed approach.