MEPs have voted for electric vehicle charging points to be a requirement in all new non-residential buildings.

EV charge points to become mandatory in new non-residential buildings

Large non-residential buildings will be required to have electric vehicle charge points installed as a mandatory building regulation, as voted for by MEPs on 11 October, because they, “ensure high-visibility for and intensive use of EV charging points”, the Platform for Electro-Mobility said. LINK: http://www.platformelectromobility.eu

Under a revised Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD), requiring EV charge points is in line with the European Commission’s own proposal and the position of EU governments, according to the Platform, while a full European Parliament will vote on its final decision in December.

On behalf of the Platform for Electro-Mobility, Teodora Serafimova of Bellona Europa said: “Larger office buildings and commercial centres often provide parking spaces that are not limited to a single employee or customer, and so ensure greater visibility and maximum use of the charging points.”

MEPs also proposed the simplification of permitting and approval procedures for new charging points in existing buildings, which are the vast majority of Europe’s building stock. It means no tenant or co-owner should be stopped from installing an EV charging point, unless there is a material reason for not allowing it.

However, the Platform noted that MEPs deleted provisions on charging points’ ‘smartness’, which would allow charging to start and stop in reaction to price signals. In addition, MEPs did not discuss whether installed charging points should be compliant with EU charging connector standards under the Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Directive.

In order to facilitate the mandatory requirement, the committee supported mandatory pre-tubing in one out of 10 parking spaces in new or refurbished non-residential buildings that provide more than 10 parking spaces.

The Platform for Electro-Mobility welcomed clarity from MEPs on provisions for buildings of mixed-use, with the committee demanding the same provisions apply to non-residential buildings.

Finally, the inclusion of pre-equipment provisions for public parking lots was also welcomed, which the Platform sees as being crucial in light of growing numbers of EU cities planning to phase out conventionally fuelled vehicles.