EV charger installer qualifications in the Chilterns
Kyran Lacey, our lead engineer, holds the 18th Edition Wiring Regulations (BS 7671), the City & Guilds 2921-34 for EV charging installation, and the 2391 Inspection and Testing certificate. Chiltern Energy Group is NAPIT-registered under number 76138.
This means every installation is self-certified under Part P of the Building Regulations. No separate council inspection is required. This page explains what each qualification means and why it matters when you choose an installer.
18th Edition — BS 7671:2018
2391-52 Inspection & Testing
City & Guilds 2921-34
NAPIT Registered — No. 76138Which certifications and qualifications does Chiltern Energy Group hold?
Three certifications. Each one verified. Each one relevant to the work we carry out.
What is the 18th Edition wiring qualification?
The 18th Edition is the current version of BS 7671, which is the national standard for all electrical installations in the United Kingdom. Every practicing electrician must hold it. It covers wiring design, protection against electric shock and fire, and the technical requirements for all fixed electrical equipment.
The standard was updated in 2022 with Amendment 2, which added requirements specifically for electric vehicle charging installations. This amendment covers earthing arrangements, residual current device selection, and load management for charging circuits. Any electrician carrying out EV installs should hold this qualification and be current with the 2022 update.
The 18th Edition is published by the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET). It sets the baseline for all electrical work in domestic and commercial properties in the UK. Without it, an electrician is not qualified to carry out fixed wiring work legally.
View the 18th Edition on the IET websiteWhy does the 2391 Inspection and Testing certificate matter?
The City & Guilds 2391-52 is the Inspection and Testing certificate. It covers initial verification of new electrical installations and periodic inspection of existing ones. Most domestic electricians do not hold it.
There are two common reasons for this. Some electricians specialise only in installation and subcontract any inspection and certification to a third party. Others entered the trade through routes that did not require the inspection qualification. Either way, the result is the same: they cannot sign off their own work.
When an EV charger is installed, an Electrical Installation Certificate (EIC) must be issued. This document certifies that the work complies with BS 7671 and is safe to use. If the installer does not hold the 2391, they need to bring in a separate inspector. That adds time, adds cost, and means a second person signs off work they did not actually carry out.
Kyran holds the 2391-52. He carries out the installation and issues the EIC himself. The same person who runs the cable, fits the charger, and tests the circuit is the same person who signs the paperwork. That is the correct way to do it.
View the 2391 qualification on the City & Guilds websiteWhat is the City & Guilds 2921-34 EV charging qualification?
The City & Guilds 2921-34 is a Level 3 Award specifically for the design and installation of domestic and small commercial EV charging equipment. It is not a general electrical qualification. It covers EV installation from start to finish.
The course covers load calculations for residential supplies, cable sizing for charging circuits, selection of residual current devices for EV chargers, earthing arrangements, and OZEV grant compliance requirements. Electricians who complete the assessment are tested on their ability to plan and carry out EV installations to the current standard, not just on general electrical knowledge.
Not every electrician installing EV chargers holds it. A general domestic electrician holding the 18th Edition is permitted to install a charger if they work within their declared competence. The 2921-34 provides formal, assessed training in EV-specific work. If you are comparing quotes, ask the installer directly whether they hold it.
Kyran holds the 2921-34. It is the qualification behind every EV charger installation we carry out in the Chilterns.
View the 2921-34 qualification on the City & Guilds websiteWhat does NAPIT registration mean for Chilterns homeowners?
Registration No. 76138 — verifiable at search.napit.org.uk
NAPIT is a government-approved Competent Person Scheme for the electrical industry. Registration requires a formal assessment of technical competence and ongoing compliance with Part P of the Building Regulations.
Why Part P matters when you have an EV charger installed
Part P covers electrical work in domestic properties. For most fixed electrical work — including EV charger installation — the work must either be notified to the local authority before it starts, or carried out by a registered member of a government-approved Competent Person Scheme such as NAPIT.
When a NAPIT-registered electrician carries out the work, they self-certify. They notify NAPIT directly. NAPIT notifies the local authority on their behalf. As the homeowner, you receive an Electrical Installation Certificate and a Building Regulations Compliance Certificate without any involvement from you or the council.
When work is carried out by someone who is not registered with a Competent Person Scheme, the homeowner must apply to the local authority themselves, pay the inspection fee, and wait for an approved inspector to assess the completed work. This is slower, costs more, and creates complications if you sell the property.
NAPIT-registered installer
- Self-certifies under Part P
- You receive EIC and Building Regs compliance certificate
- No council application required
- No inspection fee
- Clean records for property sale
Unregistered installer
- You must notify the local authority
- Application and inspection fee applies
- Delays before work is certified
- Risk of issues at point of sale
- No guarantee work meets regulations
Which EV charger brands does Chiltern Energy Group install?
We install chargers from four manufacturers. Each one is selected because it works reliably in UK domestic properties, has good smart charging capability, and comes with proper warranty and support. Kyran assesses which charger suits your home at the site survey.
UK-designed and manufactured. The Home 3 Pro is one of the best-built chargers available for residential use. Smart scheduling, load balancing, and a reliable app.
The Zappi is the go-to charger if you have solar panels. It can charge your car using excess solar generation first, which reduces your running costs significantly.
A practical, no-nonsense smart charger with OZEV grant eligibility. Good value for homeowners who want reliable smart charging without premium pricing.
Strong on software. Ohme integrates with energy tariffs and automatically schedules charging during off-peak hours to reduce your electricity costs.
What do homeowners ask about our qualifications?
Why does it matter if my electrician holds the 2391 Inspection and Testing certificate?
The 2391 allows the electrician to issue an Electrical Installation Certificate for their own work. Without it, they must bring in a third party to certify the installation. This adds cost and means someone who was not on site signs off the work.
Does NAPIT registration mean I do not need a building inspector?
Yes. NAPIT is a government-approved Competent Person Scheme. A NAPIT-registered electrician self-certifies under Part P of the Building Regulations. You receive a Building Regulations Compliance Certificate directly, with no council application or inspection required.
How can I verify Chiltern Energy Group's NAPIT registration?
Kyran Lacey's NAPIT registration number is 76138. You can verify this for free at search.napit.org.uk. The register is public and takes under a minute to check.
What is the difference between NAPIT and NICEIC registration?
Both are government-approved Competent Person Schemes and both satisfy Part P Building Regulations requirements. NICEIC is operated by Certsure and is common among larger contracting businesses. NAPIT is widely used by individual installers and small firms. Both carry the same legal standing for self-certification.
Does the 18th Edition cover EV charger installations?
Yes. Amendment 2 to BS 7671:2018, published in 2022, added specific requirements for EV charging installations. This covers earthing arrangements, RCD selection, and load management for charging points. Any electrician installing EV chargers should be current with this amendment.
Can any qualified electrician install an EV charger?
A general electrician holding the 18th Edition is permitted to install an EV charger if they work within their competence. However, the City & Guilds 2921-34 provides formal, assessed training specifically in EV installation design and compliance. It is worth asking any installer whether they hold it.
Want to know more about the team behind these qualifications?
Read about Martin and KyranReady to get started?
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