Recent data reveals 29% believe cost is the biggest barrier, with 71% unaware of the actual installation time.

LONDON 11 JULY, 2025: Data from ChargeGuru UK, a leading provider of electric vehicle (EV) charging solutions, has revealed that despite clear sustained demand for EVs, only 2% of property, asset, and portfolio managers and freeholders plan to have EV chargers installed at their residential and commercial properties this year. 

According to the research, 71% of property, asset, and portfolio managers and freeholders assume that installing EV charging infrastructure typically takes up to 3 months from initial enquiry to completion. Because of this, many decision-makers are choosing to postpone planning, assuming implementation will be quick and straightforward when the time comes. In reality, the actual process from initial enquiry to installed chargers can take well in excess of 3 months, once on-site assessments, DNO applications, grid capacity checks and contractor availability are considered. 

Cost is still a major barrier, and in fact remains the most frequently cited reason for hesitation, with 53% of property managers citing costs as the biggest barrier to installation, both the ‘upfront cost associated’ and the ‘ongoing costs associated’. This figure is continuing to decrease year-on-year,  demonstrating slow but growing awareness of the support available to those looking to upgrade their properties.

Interestingly, 57% of property, asset and portfolio managers, and freeholders estimated the cost of installing a chargepoint at up to £2000 per unit. While this isn’t entirely inaccurate, property managers are not necessarily required to cover or even incur these costs if they take advantage of fully- funded EV charging solutions.

Additionally, tenant expectations are shifting. 2024 data from ChargeGuru found that three quarters (74%) of those living in flats say having somewhere to charge their car or living near a public charger  was or will be  a factor in where they choose to live. 

To avoid future bottlenecks and ensure readiness for growing tenant demand, property owners should open dialogue with EV charging solution providers to begin assessing their property portfolio as soon as possible. 

Denis Watling, Managing Director of ChargeGuru UK says: “Consumers are increasingly ready to adopt electric vehicles, but a lack of access to home charging, particularly in flats and apartment blocks, is creating a nationwide discrepancy in the accessibility of EVs.

“Many freeholders and property managers are inadvertently underestimating the time taken to install charging solutions, coupled with an unawareness of the pace of EV adoption. There is a reluctance to invest in EV charging infrastructure today. With no-cost solutions available to property managers and owners, we urge property experts to take the first step by assessing their portfolio and understanding the solutions that are available to them, with the help of an EV charging solutions provider, like ChargeGuru. 

“Without a proactive response from these stakeholders, there is a risk that they fall behind the curve and their properties become relatively less valuable than those with EV charging solutions in place.”

There are already 2.3 million plug-in vehicles on UK roads and so far in 2025, almost one-third of new car sales have been fully-electric (20.7%) or plug-in hybrid (9.2%) powertrains. With a ban on the sale of new combustion engine vehicles from 2030, this trend is set to increase over the coming years. 

Despite the rapid growth in electric vehicle adoption, there remains a widespread lack of home charging access within apartment buildings, combined with limited awareness and delayed action from property stakeholders. This risks leaving many behind the curve and diminishing property value unless proactive steps are taken now to explore tailored EV charging solutions.

For more information about ChargeGuru UK’s fully-funded EV charger installation solutions, visit https://chargeguru.com/uk/properties

About the data 

The research was conducted by Censuswide, among a sample of 250 residential and commercial property managers, asset managers, portfolio managers and freeholders that influence decisions on EV charging infrastructure. (Aged 18+). The data was collected between 6-16 May 2025.

Censuswide abides by and employs members of the Market Research Society and follows the MRS code of conduct and ESOMAR principles. Censuswide is also a member of the British Polling Council.