I am between houses and renting.... so I don't want a dedicated unit. A socket is fine. I also understand that the electrician I have to use does not the 'ticket/approval' (or whatever it's called) for the grant. I'm happy with a commando socket for all these reasons - plus I am a low mileage driver these days with other cars too.
The point is that any outlet installed for charging an EV, of any type at all, needs to comply with the regs, and that means that it MUST have DC tolerant RCD protection (normal household RCDs on their own won't do, they are not DC tolerant), it MUST have some form of open PEN protection if the house has a TN-C-S/PME earthing system and it MUST have suitable over current protection for the supply cable to the outlet. It's also normally notifiable work under Part P of the Building Regulations, in England and Wales.
In most cases, it's barely any cheaper to get something like a Commando outlet installed than it is to get a simple, no frills, charge point installed, as even a cheap charge point can have the required open PEN and DC tolerant RCD protection built-in, making it neat, safe and easy to use, with no wear and tear on the UMC that comes with the car. If you're renting, then there's also the possibility that you could take the charge point with you when you move - it's less than half an hours work to disconnect the supply cable, make it safe and remove the charge point.
Bear in mind that a failure to comply with Building Regulations (if applicable where you are) carries a pretty hefty penalty. The regs are framed in the way they are because there are higher electric shock risks associated with connecting mains power to a large conductive object, like a car.
