Electric vehicle charging points in residential and non-residential property may soon become law

In a move that would be a world first, the government has announced plans to amend Building Regulations in England, requiring new residential and non-residential buildings to include electric vehicle (EV) charge points. 

The plans are currently at the consultation stage and therefore there is some way to go before the proposals become law. The government's current intention is for the changes to come into force as soon as the first half of 2020 (although an additional lead – in time will be proposed so that developers, consumers, building control bodies and the real estate industry can fully understand the requirements).

The move is far from surprising following last year’s launch of the Road to Zero strategy, outlining the government’s aim for all new cars and vans to be effectively zero emissions by 2040; followed by the government’s recent pledge  to  become an economy with net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.

The consultation proposes:

- Every new residential building with an associated car parking space has a charge point. This would include buildings undergoing a material change of use to create a dwelling.

- Every residential building undergoing major renovation with more than ten car parking spaces has one charge point and cable routes for EV charge points  are  installed in every car parking space.

- Every new non-residential building and every non-residential building undergoing a major renovation with more than ten car parking spaces has one charge point and cable routes for an EV charge point are installed for one in five spaces.

- At least one charge point  is provided in existing non-residential buildings with more than 20 car parking spaces, applicable from 2025.

Exemptions  are being proposed with the consultation keen to ensure that, bearing in mind the government's commitment to encourage  the supply of housing, the burden imposed is not such that certain developments become unviable. The exemptions are set out in the consultation which can be found here:

https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/electric-vehicle-chargepoints-in-residential-and-non-residential-buildings

Although some developers may sigh at the imposition of  yet more regulation (and cost), the much publicised surge in consumer demand for electric vehicles means EV charging points are already likely to be on the agenda of many developers.