# Paal volgt wagen: how to request a street charger near your home

> No driveway or garage? Here is how to request a public charger on your street, what you need to apply and why it pays to start early.

Published: 2026-04-07 · Language: en · Source: https://laadpaalvinden.be/en/blog/request-street-charger-near-home/

Do you drive electric, or is your car on order, but you have no driveway or garage at home? Many municipalities let you request a public charger on your street. The principle is called "paal volgt wagen" (the charger follows the car): the charger goes up near where the car spends the night. Below you will find how a request usually works, what to expect and when another solution fits better.

## How the principle works

You tell the municipality that you own or have ordered an electric car and that you park on the street. The municipality, or the company that manages its chargers, checks whether a charger can go near your home. If one does, it is an ordinary public charger. Anyone with a charging card can use it, including your neighbours and people passing through. That is the intention: a charger that sits unused for hours every day is not a good investment for anyone.

Who handles the requests and which rules apply differs from one municipality to the next, and it changes over time. Look on your municipality's website for a form or a contact point at mobility or public works. If you find nothing, just call or email.

## How to go about it

1. Check the [map](/en/map/) first. If a charger already stands within walking distance, go and look one evening to see whether it is free.
2. Find out on your municipality's website how to request a charger and which conditions apply.
3. Gather what they usually ask for: your address, proof of your car (number plate or order form) and a statement that you have no private parking space.
4. Apply as soon as your car is ordered. The delivery time of the car and the procedure for the charger then run at the same time.
5. Ask for a confirmation and a contact person. If you hear nothing for a few weeks, feel free to follow up.

## How long does it take?

Installing a charger is more than putting a plug in the ground. A location has to be chosen, the grid operator has to provide a connection and there is signage or road marking to arrange. Count in months, not weeks. Nobody can promise you a fixed timeline, because it depends on your municipality and on how busy things are. So make sure you have a plan for the meantime.

## Worked example: how much do you need to charge?

Say you drive 12,000 km a year and your car uses 17 kWh per 100 km.

- 12,000 km ÷ 100 × 17 kWh = 2,040 kWh a year.
- That is roughly 39 kWh a week.
- With charging losses of about 10%, you end up at just over 43 kWh.

That is two sessions of around 20 kWh, or one long evening. At a public 11 kW AC charger (if your car can take that), 40 kWh takes about 4 hours. If your car only charges at 7 kW, it becomes almost 6 hours. You will have to plan your week around that, especially if the charger is not right outside your door.

Work out the electricity cost too. Say a public charger costs 0.40 euro per kWh in your case. That is an example price, so look at your own tariff. For 2,040 kWh plus 10% losses, so 2,244 kWh, you would pay about 900 euro a year. The real price depends on the charger, your charging card and the time you charge.

## What usually goes wrong

- Starting too late: if you only apply once the car is parked outside, you have months to bridge.
- Thinking the charger is yours. There is no reserved space. If another car is there, you wait or charge elsewhere. Read the [charging etiquette](/en/blog/ev-charging-etiquette/) too.
- No charging card. Without a card or a way to pay, a new charger is no use to you. See what a [charging card](/en/blog/what-is-an-ev-charging-card/) is and which one suits you.
- A spot that does not work. In a narrow street, or with no connection nearby, the municipality may suggest another spot or refuse. Ask why, and whether another corner of the street would work.
- Staying too long. If your car sits fully charged at the charger, an extra fee may apply. See [avoiding idle fees](/en/blog/avoid-idle-fees-charging/).

## When does this not apply?

If you can rent or buy a private parking space, a wallbox is often the calmer route. Everything about that is in [home charging](/en/blog/home-charging/). If your employer can provide a charger, [charging at work](/en/blog/charging-at-work-company-car/) explains how that usually goes. If you are moving within a year, it may be better not to wait for a charger that will no longer be near you.

Plenty of people without a driveway get a long way with public chargers and a regular charging routine. How that works is covered in [charging without a driveway](/en/blog/ev-charging-without-driveway/).