This month sees the introduction of the new building regulations that will ensure all future new-build residential homes and commercial buildings, including office blocks and supermarkets, will have EV charge points installed.
In fact, planning permission will no longer be granted for new projects missing provisions for an EV charge point. So how will the new law impact EV charging infrastructure within the UK?
How the New Regulations Will Reshape EV Charge Point Infrastructure
One of the most significant impacts of the new law will be the number of new EV charge point installations undertaken each year.
The government says this will lead to 145,000 extra charge points being fitted across England every year and hopes the new laws will “make it as easy as refuelling a petrol or diesel car today.”
The law comes in at a time when charge point subsidies have been scrapped for most homeowners, leaving only those living in apartments and flats with the ability to gain partial funding for their EV charge point installation.
It’s not yet known whether these changes in building regulations will be enough to offset the dip in demand from homeowners after the cessation of the Electric Vehicle Homecharge Scheme (EVHS). However, it could be the case that commercial and public EV charge points see an uptick in demand as a result of the new regulations. Only time will tell.
Do the New Building Regulations Affect Existing Buildings?
At present, these new laws only apply to new-build projects. However, large-scale refurbishments to buildings that leave them with over ten parking spaces will also need to include the installation of EV charge points.
Environmental campaigners have stated that, while these new regulations are a welcome step in the right direction, government action may be required to incentivise the installation of EV charge points in older buildings, too, if the UK is to meet its target of having 30 million EVs on British roads by 2030.
The government says it’s the first to introduce mandatory charge points in new homes, cementing its position as a global leader in the race to net-zero emissions. They are also looking at “smart charging schemes” that would incentivise drivers to charge their vehicles at off-peak times when energy is at its most abundant.
Those in the Industry Raise Concerns Over the Possible Types of Chargers Installed
One of the primary concerns with the new building regulations is that construction outfits and other large-scale housebuilders and commercial property developers will take a one-size-fits-all approach to charge points.
The reality is that charge points can vary quite dramatically, and the best solution will depend heavily on the make and model of the vehicle, the specific location and circumstances pertaining to a property, and the type of charger connection required.
The EV industry has been quick to voice its concerns that the new building regulations could see a race to the bottom, with cheap and poorly made EV charge points being installed in order to save on costs.
It’s also been suggested that the new law could pave the way for untested and unproven EV charge point technology to be used in new-build developments, which could cause all sorts of problems down the line.
New Regulations a Step in the Right Direction, But Time Will Tell Regarding Impact
While the introduction of a new law that mandates an EV charge point for every new house and commercial property built after June 2022 is a positive step that will undoubtedly increase the number of charge points on our streets, there are still some concerns that need to be addressed.
Namely, those in the EV industry have raised concerns over the possible types of chargers that could be installed as a result of the new regulations. Hopefully, these concerns will be addressed in the coming months so that the UK can continue to move forward with the electric motoring revolution.
At Applegarth, we install all types of EV charge points for homeowners, local authorities, and commercial businesses. We would be happy to advise you on the best type of EV charge point for your needs, walk you through any available government grants, and install your charge point quickly and efficiently.
Get in touch with us today to learn more about our EV charge point installation services or to receive a free, no-obligation quotation.
