Provision of EV charging infrastructure in car parking areas - Scottish Government consultation

Last updated 22 October 2021

On 23 July, the Scottish government published a public consultation paper on proposed changes to energy standards and associated topics (the Consultation Paper).

Chapter 7 of the Consultation Paper covers the introduction of a policy on electric vehicle (EVs) charging points and ducting infrastructure in order to facilitate the roll out of charging points in the car parking areas of both new and existing residential and non-residential buildings within Scotland.

Notwithstanding the UK’s withdrawal from the EU, the Consultation Paper makes it clear that the Scottish government intends to align its policy with EU Directive 2010/31, as amended by the EU Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EU Directive 2018/844) (the Directive). A summary of the Directive’s requirements can be found on page 91 of the Consultation Paper. Under the proposed policy, different requirements for the installation of EV charging infrastructure will apply depending on whether a building is residential or non-residential and whether such buildings are new, existing, or existing but undergoing major renovation.

The Scottish government’s preferred options for rolling out EV charging infrastructure for each building category are set out in Table 12 on page 92 of the Consultation Paper.

Those submitting responses are invited to consider whether there should also be a minimum charging standard. It is proposed that every EV charging socket and associated ducting and cabling should have a minimum charging output of 7kW at each connector socket.

As noted in the table referred to above, it is intended that exemptions will be applicable, including where the additional electricity grid connection cost per EV charging point in respect of new residential buildings exceeds GBP2,000. Further exemptions, which mirror those permitted under the Directive, are considered at paragraph 7.6 of the Consultation Paper.

The effectiveness of the policy will depend upon the efficacy of its enforcement measures. The Building (Scotland) Regulations will apply to any new (or major renovations of) residential and non-residential buildings and a minimum number of EV charging points / ducting infrastructure can be imposed as part of the planning process. However, it is not yet clear how the policy will be enforced in the context of existing non-residential properties which are not undergoing renovation. Ideas for incentives or penalties are not offered in the Consultation Paper. Instead, the reader is invited to suggest potential incentives and penalties when submitting their response(s).

A link to the Consultation Paper can be found here.  

The consultation period was initially open for 12 weeks with a deadline for responses of 15 October 2021. It has now been extended to 26 November 2021.