Part S EV Charging Requirements
Electric vehicle charge point requirements for new buildings and major renovations, referencing Approved Document S: Infrastructure for the Charging of Electric Vehicles (2021 edition, effective 15 June 2022).
Residential Requirements (AD-S Section 1)
| Building Type | Charge Points Required | Cable Routes |
|---|---|---|
| New dwelling with parking | 1 per dwelling | Recommended for additional spaces |
| Block of flats (parking = dwellings) | 1 per dwelling with parking space | Cable route to each remaining space |
| Block of flats (parking < dwellings) | 1 per parking space | N/A (all spaces have charge points) |
| Material change of use (with parking) | 1 per dwelling with parking space | Cable route to each remaining space |
Non-Residential Requirements (AD-S Section 2)
| Building Type | Charge Points Required | Cable Routes |
|---|---|---|
| New build (> 10 spaces) | 1 charge point | Cable route to 1 in 5 of remaining spaces |
| Major renovation (> 10 spaces) | 1 charge point | Cable route to 1 in 5 of remaining spaces |
| ≤ 10 spaces | No requirement | No requirement |
Charge Point Specifications (AD-S)
| Specification | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Minimum power output | 7 kW |
| Charging mode | Mode 3 (dedicated EV charging with control and protection) |
| Connector type | Type 2 (BS EN 62196-2) — untethered socket or tethered cable |
| Smart charging | Must be smart (capable of responding to signals to shift demand) |
| Electrical supply | Single-phase 32 A (typical 7 kW) or three-phase (22 kW) |
| RCD protection | 30 mA Type A minimum (Type F or B for some chargers) |
| Installation standard | IET Code of Practice for Electric Vehicle Charging Equipment Installation (4th edition) |
Cable Route Requirements
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| What is a cable route? | A continuous route for cables from the consumer unit to the parking space — ducts, trunking, or containment |
| Capacity | Must accommodate the cable for a 7 kW charge point (6 mm² minimum) |
| Distribution board | Spare way(s) must be provided for future charge point connection |
| Earthing | PME earthing restrictions may apply — check BS 7671 and IET CoP |
Worked Examples
| Scenario | Charge Points | Cable Routes |
|---|---|---|
| New house with driveway (2 spaces) | 1 | Recommended to 2nd space |
| Block of 20 flats, 15 parking spaces | 15 | 0 (all spaces have charge points) |
| Office with 30 parking spaces | 1 | 6 (1/5 of 29 remaining, rounded up) |
| Retail with 8 parking spaces | 0 (≤ 10 spaces) | 0 |
Related Calculators
Use the Cable Sizing Calculator for EV circuit design, or the Part P RCD Requirements for electrical safety guidance.
Always check the latest edition of Approved Documents on the Planning Portal (planningportal.co.uk) as regulations are updated periodically.
How We Calculate This
Frequently Asked Questions
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Last updated: April 2026
All calculations are estimates. Verify with your supplier.