Part S of the Building Regulations, the UK Government's statutory guidance on the provision of at-home EV charging in all new residential buildings, came into force in June 20221. The requirement applies to new residential buildings, with cable routes to parking spaces also mandated where charge points are not fitted immediately2.
The technical requirements for a compliant charge point include a minimum power output of 7kW and a universal, untethered power socket, and the unit must be smart, meaning it can schedule charging during off-peak hours or when demand is lowest2. Charge points must also be able to measure, record and transmit usage in units of energy or time, use a minimum of Mode 3 specialised system running from a dedicated circuit as specified in BS EN IEC 61851, carry a charging status indicator, and be designed and installed as prescribed in BS 76712. Installations are expected to follow the IET's Code of Practice: Electric Vehicle Charging Equipment Installations2.
Separately, the Electric Vehicles (Smart Charge Points) Regulations came into force in June 2022, and Schedule 1 security compliance regulations covering cybersecurity and tamper-protection applied from 31 December 20223. From that date, installers wishing to fit non-compliant EV chargers must seek prior approval from the Office for Product Safety and Standards3. One charger maker stated its products met the requirements ahead of the deadline3.
"Whether you're an electric vehicle driver looking to buy a new smart charger, an electrical retailer offering them for sale or an installer, from the end of this year all new EV chargers are legally-bound to meet these regulations."
Research published by the UK Energy Research Centre on 21 November 2024, based on workshops held in March 2022 with 52 experts, found that Part S will result in increased energy demand and will likely require upgrading low voltage distribution networks1. The report said Part S was expected to face resistance from developers for increasing development costs, which they viewed as an unfair burden, and that some less profitable developments may be challenged or halted, raising questions about equitable access to charging infrastructure between north and south and between urban and rural areas1. It added that without strategic infrastructure planning some new housing developments are becoming financially unviable1.
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Minimum power output | 7kW2 |
| Socket type | Universal, untethered2 |
| Smart functionality | Off-peak scheduling, usage measurement and transmission2 |
| Cable routes | To all parking spaces capable of sustaining future charge point installation2 |
| Accessible parking | At least one accessible space with a charge point or suitable cable route2 |
Why it matters for households
For a household buying or renting a new-build home, Part S means charging provision or the wiring to support it is part of the building rather than an aftermarket addition. That changes the cost and practicalities of running an electric vehicle from home, because a dedicated 7kW supply and a smart charge point allow charging to be shifted to off-peak periods, which the guidance links to reducing pressure on the national grid2. The UK Energy Research Centre report notes that Part S will increase energy demand and will likely require upgrading low voltage distribution networks, and that the costs of deployment, and who pays them, were the most widely shared concern across its workshops1. For households, the practical questions are whether a development proceeds at all, what charging arrangements communal settings offer, and how charging is billed where shared infrastructure is used, which the report identifies as presenting challenges in management, billing and access1.
What happens next
The security compliance requirements under Schedule 1 applied from 31 December 2022, after which installers fitting non-compliant chargers must seek prior approval from the Office for Product Safety and Standards3. No further dated steps are set out in the available material.
Sources4 cited
- EV charging and its implications across transport, power, buildings and planning | UKERC | The UK Energy Research Centre, ukerc.ac.uk
- A Housing Developer's Guide to the Part S Regulations, rolecserv.com
- Stay smart and secure with an EV charger that meets the new regulations says Ohme - Ohme EV, ohme-ev.com
- Stay smart and secure with an EV charger that meets the new regulations says Ohme - Ohme EV Ireland, ohme-ev.com