Skip advert
Advertisement

All new homes and offices required to have EV charging points

The government is set to confirm plans to introduce laws to ensure all new homes and office are fitted with electric-car charging points from 2022

Charging

The UK government is set to announce plans to make developers install electric-car charging points at all newly-built homes and offices from 2022. The government claims the move will increase the number of chargers installed nationwide by up to 145,000 each year.

Advertisement - Article continues below

While currently unconfirmed, it's thought the new laws – due to be revealed in full later today (22 November) – will also state the units must be 'smart' chargers, allowing owners to dictate when their car is charged, and to what percentage the battery is filled. 

These chargers also have the ability to prioritise charging at times when demand on the National Grid is low. On a national level, smart chargers' ability to communicate with energy providers will be able to help even out peaks in demand from millions of electric cars charging at once.

It's thought that in addition to all new-build homes and offices, that places like supermarkets and other public buildings – as well as buildings undergoing extensive renovation – will also be subject to the new laws.

Rachel Maclean MP revealed the plans earlier this year, but didn't provide an exact date or timeframe for when the legislation would be introduced. New information suggests the plans will come into effect some time in 2022. The government first proposed the potential world-first legislation that all new-build homes would get charging points back in 2019.

Advertisement - Article continues below

At the time the plans were proposed, it was also revealed that charging points are being installed in the UK at a rate of around 500 per month, which is far below industry body the SMMT's estimate that 700 units need to be installed every day to keep up with rising demand and the number of electrified vehicles on the road.

Maclean responded to questions from MPs by stating that the government is currently supporting the rollout of 25,000 publicly available chargers, including more than 4,700 rapid points. The government is also supporting the installation of on-street chargers for those without access to a private driveway or car park, with 137 local authorities reportedly applying for funding from the on-street charge point scheme.

The government still provides up to £2,500 towards the cost of a new electric car through its plug-in car grant (PiCG), and can cover 75% of the cost of buying and installing a smart home wallbox charger, up to a maximum value of £350 for whoever can install one.

Skip advert
Advertisement

Welcome one and all, I’m Ellis the news reporter on Auto Express, the brand’s former online reviews editor and contributor to DrivingElectric. I’m proud to say I cut my teeth reporting and reviewing all things EV as the content editor on DrivingElectric. I joined the team while completing my master’s degree in automotive journalism at Coventry University and since then I’ve driven just about every electric car and hybrid I could get my hands on.

Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

Government EV chargepoint grant extended to drivers without a driveway
Person plugging an electric car into a charger at the roadside
News

Government EV chargepoint grant extended to drivers without a driveway

19 Mar 2024
Energy price cap to fall in April making 1,000s of electric cars 12% cheaper to charge
Kia EV9 charging
News

Energy price cap to fall in April making 1,000s of electric cars 12% cheaper to charge

23 Feb 2024
Free electric car charging from Octopus Energy as new ‘Power Pack’ tariff launched
Octopus
News

Free electric car charging from Octopus Energy as new ‘Power Pack’ tariff launched

15 Feb 2024
BT plans to upcycle 60,000 street cabinets into EV chargers
BT Green box charger
News

BT plans to upcycle 60,000 street cabinets into EV chargers

8 Jan 2024

Most Popular

Nissan’s masterplan: 6 new cars by 2026, including next-gen Micra, Leaf successor and revamped Juke,
New Nissan Future models - Picture 1
News

Nissan’s masterplan: 6 new cars by 2026, including next-gen Micra, Leaf successor and revamped Juke,

Nissan has set itself a target of introducing 30 new models globally over within the next two years
25 Mar 2024
New Genesis Neolun concept paves the way for the GV90 SUV
New Genesis Neolun concept - picture 1
News

New Genesis Neolun concept paves the way for the GV90 SUV

With a host of new technology, the Neolun is the brands first step towards a full-size electric SUV.
27 Mar 2024
Confirmed: New Cupra Formentor will be electric
Cupra Formentor V2
News

Confirmed: New Cupra Formentor will be electric

The future of the Cupra Formentor has been confirmed by the brand’s CEO, Wayne Griffiths. The next generation SUV will be a full EV
22 Mar 2024