PART S · Electric vehicle charging
Do major renovations need EV charging provision
Some major renovations require electric vehicle charging provision under Part S. The answer depends on the defined renovation, parking and work to the parking area or electrical infrastructure, along with the applicable exceptions. A large invoice does not, by itself, make a project a qualifying major renovation.
What needs to be assessed
Identify the building category, renovation scope and associated parking arrangement. Relevant provisions for major renovations use a threshold of more than ten parking spaces, with further conditions.
Do not decide the outcome from the parking count alone. The relationship between the works and the parking or electrical infrastructure also matters.
Are residential and commercial rules the same
No. The required charge points and cable routes differ between categories. Mixed-use buildings need a coordinated assessment of the relevant parts.
A residential block and an office car park should not be given the same specification simply because both have twelve spaces.
What if installation costs are disproportionate
The provisions contain specified cost-related limits or exceptions. Establish the relevant test and supporting evidence before relying on it.
A contractor's statement that the supply upgrade is costly is not enough to show which regulatory condition has been met.
When should the review happen
Assess Part S while the renovation and electrical scope are being designed. It may be easier to coordinate cable routes with planned excavation or car park works than to add them later.
For example, replacing electrical infrastructure serving a parking area should prompt a review of the charging provisions before the works are ordered.
What should be recorded
Keep the scope assessment, parking schedule, relevant cost evidence and charging or cable-route design. Obtain appropriate electrical and commissioning records for the completed installation.
If the project falls outside Part S, distinguish that legal conclusion from any voluntary charging provision the owner chooses to install.