Residential developers are facing a raft of new legislative and regulatory changes that will require new and refurbished homes to include electric vehicle (EV) charge points.
The regulations may present challenges for developers and construction parties in terms of compliance with new requirements, electricity supply capacity and ongoing maintenance, says property and construction law firm Winckworth Sherwood.
From 15th June, residential and social housing developments must include EV charge points in new homes with onsite parking. Residential buildings undergoing major renovation that will have 10 or more onsite parking spaces, must have at least one charge point for each dwelling with associated parking, and cable routes for parking spaces without EV charge points.
On 30th June, additional regulations will come into force governing technical requirements for EV charge points requiring ‘smart functionality’, compliance with cybersecurity requirements, and protection of electricity grid stability.
Ashley Pappin, a Senior Associate solicitor in the Construction Law team at Winckworth Sherwood commented: “The changes include mandatory requirements for installation of EV charge points and apply to private developers’ and registered providers’ projects alike.
“Developers and construction parties need to secure compliance with the changes and address the effects on their projects to avoid disruption. Key actions are to assess how responsibility for compliance with the changes are allocated in existing contracts, and ensure that both these and future changes which may take effect mid-project are addressed in contracts currently in negotiation.”
