What new-building EV charging rules mean for you
The UK has recently passed a set of regulations that requires all new-build and retrofit homes and commercial properties in England to have electric vehicle charge points installed, should they meet certain requirements.
The move comes in an effort to improve the number of EV chargers available to drivers, and is expected to add as many as 145,000 new chargers across the country.
With plans to ban the sale of new petrol and diesel cars in 2030, and hybrids by 2035, the need for a substantial EV charging infrastructure is becoming increasingly important.
How has this come about?
Following consultation by the Office for Zero Emission Vehicles (OZEV), the regulations have been implemented to try and smooth things out for those wanting EV charge points.
Previously, although encouraged at a national level, the addition of EV charging to new properties fell under local planning regulations, which could hold up implementing the points.
These new rules aim to cut out this issue, and although currently only applicable to properties in England, it is expected that Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland will bring in similar proposals.
What changes have been announced?
Residential new-builds and retrofits
- All new homes that have provision for car parking, including buildings undergoing change of use, will need an electric car charger.
- Major residential property renovations that have, or will have, more than 10 parking spaces once complete must have at least one EV charger for each dwelling with associated parking, as well as cable routes for all spaces without charge points.
Commercial new-builds and retrofits
- Any new non-residential (i.e. commercial) property with more than 10 parking spaces are required to have a minimum of one charge point, as well as cable routes for one in every five spaces.
- Commercial buildings undergoing major renovations that have, or will have, more than 10 parking spaces once complete must have at least one EV charger and cable routes for one in five spaces.
Smart chargepoints
Despite not being included in the new regulations, it is wroth noting that other rules have come in under the Electric Vehicles (Smart Charge Points) Regulations 2021 that mean newly installed charge points must be ‘smart’.
This means that the charge point can communicate with the car, with any energy management systems in the property, and potentially the grid, to enable the most efficient use of electricity and the ability to reduce charging costs on off-peak tariffs.
How does this impact you?
Those looking to build their own home, or are looking to move in to a newly built home, will find EV charging provision easy.
Developers are being encouraged to not see this as a hurdle, but as a chance to add value to a property with a dedicated charging system, and one that is reliable in the long-term.
Charge point suppliers are already seeing increased demand, with the likes of Ohme having had enquiries double compared to last year.
“We welcome the plans to encourage drivers towards electrified motoring in all its forms by enabling increased access to EV charging points for all home owners.
“Over the past six months, even before this new legislation arrived, our enquiry levels from developers have more than doubled and we can see that building companies have embraced these new regulations. Developers are already seeking out smarter chargers such as ours as an active selling point for buyers.”
Ohme CEO David Watson
There are a large number of charge point suppliers on the market, with plenty of choice available and budgets that change to match specifications and design.
If looking to move in to a new property, make sure that you check the type of EV charger installed - or due to be installed - to save costs further down the line.
