February 13, 2023
In June 2022, the Government updated the Building Regulations 2010 with the introduction of ‘Infrastructure for the charging of electric vehicles’ (“Document S”). The purpose of introducing this regulation was to align with the Government’s plan to phase-out the use of petrol and diesel cars by 2030, and to look towards greener transport.
Document S sets out requirements for electric vehicle charging points on different types of residential buildings, non-residential buildings and mixed-use buildings. This article will focus on the erection of new residential buildings and residential buildings undergoing major renovation.
New Residential Buildings:
For a new residential building, the number of electric vehicles charging points that must be installed is the maximum that can be installed. In other words, as a minimum, there must be a one EV charging point for the number of parking spaces at the building or the number of dwellings that has an associated parking space, at an average of £3,600 or less per charge point.
The above requirements will not apply to parking spaces associated with the new building which are within a covered car park or if the average cost of each charging point is over the £3,600 cap. If so then cable routes should be installed in the parking spaces that would otherwise have a charging point.
If the number of parking spaces is both more than ten and is more than the number of dwellings, then cable routes must be provided for all spaces that do not have direct access to a charging point. This is to ensure that every parking space (apart from those within a covered car park and/or if the charging point is over £3,600) should have access to either a charging point or a cable.
Residential Buildings Undergoing a Major Renovation:
For residential buildings undergoing a major renovation that will have ten on-site parking spaces after renovation, there must be at least access to an electric vehicle charging point for each dwelling that has an associated parking space. There must be cable routes in all other additional parking spaces without electric charge points.
There are circumstances which provide exceptions to the requirements for the EV charging points at residential buildings undergoing a major renovation. This includes the vehicle charge points being unable to be accommodated within the incoming electrical supply or if the costs of installation exceeds &5 of the total cost of the renovation. All the exceptions can be found in Regulation 44F of the Building Regulations 2010.
A link to Document S can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/infrastructure-for-charging-electric-vehicles-approved-document-s
James Sawyer
Paralegal – Commercial and Development Department
References:
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