Approved Document S: Infrastructure for the charging of electric vehicles – England Building Regulations 2010
Approved Document S: Infrastructure for the charging of electric vehicles provides statutory guidance on meeting the requirements of Part S of Schedule 1 to the Building Regulations 2010. Issued by HM Government for use in England, this 2021 edition took effect on 15 June 2022. The document functions under the legal framework of the Building Act 1984 and addresses the installation of electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure across various categories of building work, including new constructions, conversions, and significant renovations.
The scope of this regulation encompasses New residential buildings, Dwellings resulting from a material change of use, and Residential buildings undergoing major renovation. It further governs New buildings which are not residential or mixed-use, Buildings undergoing major renovation work which are not residential or mixed-use, and New mixed-use buildings. Technical standards defined within the document include specific requirements for Electric vehicle charge points, Cable routes, and Future connection locations. It outlines specific cost thresholds, such as the £3600 cap for residential connections and the 7% cost threshold for major renovations, alongside hardware standards such as the minimum nominal rated output of 7kW.
The document is structured into sections covering specific building types and technical standards for infrastructure installation. These requirements ensure that new and renovated buildings are equipped to support the transition to electric transport through standardised power outputs and dedicated electrical circuits.
New Residential Buildings and Requirement S1
Requirement S1 applies to the erection of new residential buildings with associated parking. The regulation dictates that each new dwelling with an associated parking space must have access to an electric vehicle charge point.
- The £3600 Cap: The requirement to install charge points is subject to an average connection cost limit of £3600 per point. If the average cost exceeds this, the developer is exempt from installing full charge points but must provide cable routes instead.
- Cable Routes: Where the cost cap applies, or where the building has more than 10 parking spaces and more spaces than dwellings, cable routes must be installed in all remaining associated parking spaces.
- Covered Car Parks: For parking spaces situated within a covered car park, specific rules apply. Generally, if parking is mixed, requirements are first applied to outdoor spaces before allocating cable routes to indoor spaces.
Conversions and Renovations of Residential Buildings
Requirements S2 and S3 govern buildings converted into dwellings via a material change of use or existing residential buildings undergoing a major renovation.
- Requirement S2 (Material Change of Use): At least one associated parking space for each new dwelling must have access to an EV charge point, provided the electrical supply can accommodate it without a capacity upgrade.
- Requirement S3 (Major Renovation): This applies to residential buildings with more than 10 parking spaces where more than 25% of the building envelope surface area is renovated. It requires one charge point per dwelling and cable routes for all additional spaces.
- The 7% Threshold: Requirement S3 is limited by cost; if the installation of charge points and cable routes exceeds 7% of the total renovation cost, the building may be exempt from installing the charge points but must provide cable routes unless those also exceed the threshold.
Non-Residential and Mixed-Use Buildings
Requirements S4 and S5 apply to new buildings or major renovations that are not residential or mixed-use, such as offices and industrial sites, provided they have more than 10 parking spaces.
- Requirement S4 (New Builds): At least one parking space must have a charge point, and cable routes must be provided for a minimum of one fifth of the remaining spaces.
- Requirement S5 (Major Renovation): Similar to S4, buildings undergoing major renovation with more than 10 spaces must provide one charge point and cable routes for one fifth of the spaces, subject to the 7% cost threshold.
- Requirement S6 (Mixed-use): For developments containing both dwellings and non-residential premises, the requirements of S1 through S5 are applied respectively to the parking spaces assigned to each part of the building.
Technical Standards and Regulation 44J
Regulation 44J establishes the minimum hardware and installation standards for any charge point or cable route installed under Part S.
- Power Output: Every charge point must have a minimum nominal rated output of 7kW and be run on a dedicated circuit.
- Socket Standards: Charge points should typically feature a universal socket (untethered) and comply with BS EN 61851.
- Cable Routes: Defined as a safe, unobstructed route from the power supply to the envisaged charge point location. They must be compatible with BS 7671 and BS 8300-1.
- Labelling: A future connection location must be clearly identified with a weatherproof sign measuring 506mm by 194mm reading Dedicated position for electric vehicle charge point.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the minimum power output required for an EV charger?
Under Approved Document S, every electric vehicle charge point must have a minimum nominal rated output of 7kW and be served by a dedicated circuit.
What is the cost cap for EV charger connections in new homes?
There is a £3600 average connection cost cap per charge point. If formal quotes from a distribution network operator show costs exceeding this, the requirement is reduced to providing cable routes only.
How is a major renovation defined in this document?
A major renovation is the renovation of a building where more than 25% of the surface area of the building envelope undergoes renovation.
How many charge points are required for a new office building?
For a new building that is not residential or mixed-use with more than 10 parking spaces, at least one space must have a charge point and one fifth of the remaining spaces must have cable routes.
Are listed buildings exempt from EV charging requirements?
Requirement S2 does not apply to listed buildings, buildings in conservation areas, or scheduled monuments if compliance would unacceptably alter the character or appearance of the building.
What are the labelling requirements for future EV connection locations?
Future connection points must be labelled with the text 'Dedicated position for electric vehicle charge point' using 25mm high letters on a sign measuring 506mm by 194mm.
Does Requirement S1 apply if there is no associated parking?
No, where no associated parking spaces are provided for a new residential building, there is no requirement to install an electric vehicle charge point.
What is the cost threshold for EV infrastructure in major renovations?
If the cost of installing required charge points and cable routes exceeds 7% of the total cost of the major renovation, the building is exempt from the charge point requirement.
