Features
22 nov 21

All new offices in England must have EV charge points

New law will ensure all new-build workplaces and homes must have EV charge points.

Employers in England will have to install electric vehicle charge points at all new workplace buildings as well as buildings undergoing major renovations, under new legislation announced today by Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

He confirmed plans first outlined in September for all new homes, workplaces and supermarkets to be required by law to install charge points.

145,000 new charge points

The Government said the legislation would see up to 145,000 new charge points installed before 2030, when England will ban the sale of new petrol and diesel cars and vans. There are already more than 250,000 home and workplace charge points in England.

As well as new build homes and non-residential buildings, any large-scale renovations of premises that will have more than 10 parking spaces will also be required to install charge points.

According to a Government statement: “With the majority of charging happening at home, this will mean people can buy new properties already ready for an electric vehicle future, while ensuring charge points are readily available at new shops and workplaces across the UK – making it as easy as refuelling a petrol or diesel car today.”

Easy access to chargers

The Government also plans to make it easier for drivers to access all new fast and rapid public chargers, by introducing simpler payment systems, such as contactless.

Will Europe follow?

Last week, green campaign group Transport & Environment and the motor industry association ACEA called on the European Commission to implement similar plans to those announced for England.

In a letter to Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, the two organisations said the Commission's upcoming review of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) should build on the Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation, which governs the deployment of public recharging and refuelling infrastructure.

T&E and ACEA want the EPBD to set minimum requirements for the pre-cabling of parking spaces for all new buildings from 2025, and by 2035 for all existing buildings.

Logistics fleets

They also want the EC to set a minimum number of charge points for buildings (both residential and non-residential) with more than 10 parking places, with a minimum of one charge point by 2025, two by 2027 and three by 2030. The legislation should also cover charging at private depots and logistic hubs for trucks and vans, they said.

Authored by: Jonathan Manning