The number of residential properties for sale across Great Britain with an electric car charging point on the property or nearby has increased 541% compared to this time last year, according to Rightmove.

A third of the total number of homes that mention electric car charging points have been added to the property portal since the start of September, and the recent fuel crisis could potentially prompt for more agents to highlight it as a selling point

Rightmove predicts electric car charging points will rise up buyers’ priority lists over the next few years as people continue to look for ways to improve their green credentials.

The study analysed the number of properties for sale that mention an electric car charging point in the property description to prospective buyers. This excluded new build homes to determine the uplift in older homes having charging points installed or available nearby.

Tim Bannister, Rightmove’s Property Expert, said: “This week, concerns about the environment are rightly front and centre of the headlines, and this study is an interesting example of how growing awareness about the environment and energy efficiency can impact the property market.

“The number of electric vehicle charging points is continuing to rise, and in turn, we’re hearing from agents that potential buyers are increasingly adding access to a charging point to their list when choosing the right home. Alongside the energy performance of a home, we anticipate electric car charging points will become more important for buyers over the next few years, and will be an additional selling point for movers listing their home.”

Charlie Gladding, senior consultant at Peter Joy Estate Agents, commented: “Stroud has a reputation for being environmentally aware and it’s something we’re certainly hearing more about from both buyers and sellers. Not only are people more enthusiastic about energy efficiency upgrades, but the fact they are acting and having them installed means people are more conscious of ‘futureproofing’ their home.

“With COP26, our carbon footprint, and climate change in general, more people are certainly aware of their actions, and enquiries about whether electric car chargers are installed, or it is possible to install them will be a theme that consistently grows into conversations over the next couple of years”.