7: Electric Vehicle Parking Provision

Principle 5

Parking spaces for residential and non-residential developments should be designed to enable the provision of plug-in charging points for electric and hybrid vehicles. This includes:

For both residential and non-residential developments where private parking is separate from the premises or dwelling, where feasible to do so infrastructure to enable the installation of an electrical supply is encouraged to be installed to enable the convenient provision of charging points to all parking spaces in the future, without the need for significant re-wiring, structural or subsurface works.
Proposals for new garages associated with an existing dwelling are encouraged to install an electrical supply with sufficient power capacity to enable the convenient installation of charging points where they don't already exist on the site

7.1. The provision of electric vehicle (EV) charging points within new development will support the early take up of electric vehicles in the Plan Area, helping to reduce the level of traffic emissions.

7.2. Building Regulations set out in Part S now require new residential and non-residential development with associated parking to have access to electric vehicle charging points. This includes:

New Residential
Material changes of use to residential
Major renovations on residential use
New non-residential (for sites with 10+ spaces)
Residential and non-residential elements of mixed-use new build / renovations

7.3. The regulations do not apply to on-street or communal / visitor parking that is not connected to the individual development.

7.4. Where charging points and infrastructure are provided off-site such as in communal areas, the design will need to consider an approach to the future control access to charge points and allocation of electricity charges to individual users, together with the management and maintenance arrangements. Issues of safety around the location of trailing cables running from the charge point to the vehicle will also require careful consideration.

7.5. The technology used by EV vehicles and charging techniques is progressing at a fast pace, so new developments should install the latest method of charging that is accepted as an industry standard and cost effective for general use. Current examples of industry benchmarks used include BS 61851 and BS 7671. Approaches to the provision of renewable energy on new development such as solar panels to provide power to EV chargers will be considered in separate guidance prepared by the Council for addressing climate change and sustainable development.