{"id":774681,"date":"2025-02-17T08:08:52","date_gmt":"2025-02-17T08:08:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.architectsjournal.co.uk\/?p=774681"},"modified":"2025-02-17T09:11:53","modified_gmt":"2025-02-17T09:11:53","slug":"the-regs-make-room-for-ev-charging","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.architectsjournal.co.uk\/news\/opinion\/the-regs-make-room-for-ev-charging","title":{"rendered":"The Regs: Make room for EV charging"},"content":{"rendered":"

In July 2019 the then government announced it would be implementing a policy to ensure that electric vehicle (EV) charge points would become the norm for new dwellings, commercial buildings, refurbishments and conversions.<\/span><\/p>\n

From 1 January 2025 the EU directive on charge points in car parks took effect, with new requirements for car parks with more than 20 spaces. The new rules are part of the broader Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD), which focuses on non-residential buildings with car parks. <\/span><\/p>\n

In addition, the infrastructure to enable more charge points \u2013 including wiring ducts and conduits \u2013 must be in place and capable of supporting future charging point installations for one in five spaces in the car park. EPBD also stipulates that when planning installation of EV charging points and the infrastructure for expansion, you should consider January 2027, when the requirements will be increased to half of all spaces having the preparatory infrastructure in place for future charging installations. <\/span><\/p>\n

We could also see requirements for new and majorly renovated residential buildings with more than three parking spaces being required to have 50 per cent of parking spaces with pre-cabling (conduits) to facilitate the future installation of charging stations and one EV charging point.<\/span><\/p>\n

What is driving the change? Basically, the concern is that the lack of charge points is holding back the transition to EVs. While the number of public charging points has increased, it is not keeping pace with the number of EVs on the road \u2013 the ratio of EVs to chargers has worsened. According to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, the ratio of charge points to EVs fell in every region in the UK from 2019 to 2022. The decline is particularly acute in Northern Ireland, the South West, the South East, and the North West, where there are more than 100 EVs for every single public charge point, raising concerns about the country\u2019s preparedness for the EV transition.<\/span><\/p>\n

In June 2022 the government introduced Part S of the building regs but with a delay (or \u2018transition period\u2019) for projects already submitted, meaning it did not apply to projects that started on site before June 2023. So many architects may be unaware of the requirements in Part S.<\/span><\/p>\n

Part S applies to the following types of building work:<\/span><\/p>\n

a) New residential buildings.
\n<\/span>b) New non-residential buildings
\n<\/span>c) Buildings undergoing material change of use
\n<\/span>d) Residential buildings undergoing major renovation
\n<\/span>e) Non-residential buildings undergoing major renovation
\n<\/span>f) Mixed-use buildings undergoing relevant building work.<\/span><\/p>\n

While the requirement for new buildings is reasonably understood, the requirements around renovations and mixed-use buildings undergoing relevant building work is less well understood (and, frankly, quite complex). To help with this, the government has published guidance<\/a>. But, as a basic introduction to the requirements, keep reading.<\/span><\/p>\n

Buildings undergoing major renovation that have or will have more than 10 spaces are covered by Part S (so if the car park has less than 10 spaces it is not applicable).
\n<\/span>A major renovation in this case is defined as work being done which includes work being done to any of the following:<\/p>\n