The Scottish Government is to introduce legislation requiring developers to provide EV charge points for all newly constructed residential and non-residential buildings.

Minister for Transport Jenny Gilruth (centre) launched the proposals by joining East Lothian Council and Springfield Properties to learn more about the work already underway on charge points

The policy proposals have been published following a recent consultation and will support growing EV uptake by ensuring that all new homes, including flats, with a dedicated car parking space are built with electric charge points.

The new building regulations will mean that new residential buildings with a parking space have at least one EV charge point with a minimum 7kW rating. For new non-residential buildings with more than 10 parking spaces, one in every 10 would be expected to provide an EV charge point socket with a minimum 7kW rating.

It’s not just new building projects either; there are also requirements for residential and non-residential buildings undergoing major renovation to provide charge points.

The Scottish Government will put forward secondary legislation for the consideration of the Parliament by the end of the year, updating the Building (Scotland) Regulations 2004.

Minister for Transport Jenny Gilruth said: “We know that it is important to make charging as easy as possible to help make the switch to EV. I’m pleased to confirm that we will introduce legislation to ensure all new buildings are EV-enabled.

“This step will help future proof Scotland’s buildings as we transition to a net zero transport system. This supports our ambition of phasing out the need for new petrol and diesel cars and vans by 2030 as part of our response to the global climate emergency.”

The announcement follows the publication earlier this year of the Scottish Government’s draft vision for the public electric vehicle charging network, which includes a £60m fund for increasing the number of charge points.

The Electric Vehicle Association Scotland broadly welcomed the proposals. Director Neil Kermode said: “The Scottish government’s policy will result in residential and non-residentiaal projects that further enable an easy transition to electric transport for a greater number of people.

“Establishing infrastructure in new and refurbished buildings will help ensure a cost and material efficient approach to the supporting the growth of EVs.”

But EVA Scotland added that it would also have welcomed inclusion or recommendation for additional e-bike storage and charging as part of these proposals, “enhancing and supporting the active travel policies currently in place”.

Neil Kermode continued: “We recognise that there remains a need for additional finesse in the proposals to simplify the costs of installation of charge points, especially in communal parking environments.”