Question 1

When does Part S apply?

Accepted Answer

Part S (Approved Document S, 2021 edition, effective 15 June 2022 in England) applies to: new residential buildings with associated parking, new non-residential buildings with more than 10 parking spaces, residential buildings undergoing a material change of use with associated parking, and non-residential buildings undergoing major renovation with more than 10 spaces. It does not apply to existing buildings without a change of use or major renovation.

Question 2

How many charge points does a new house need?

Accepted Answer

Each new dwelling with associated parking must have one charge point. If a dwelling has more than one parking space, only one charge point is required (cable routes to additional spaces are recommended but not mandatory). The charge point must be a minimum 7 kW Mode 3 (Type 2 connector) and comply with BS EN 61851 and IET Code of Practice for Electric Vehicle Charging Equipment Installation.

Question 3

What about flats and apartments?

Accepted Answer

For new residential buildings with more than one dwelling (e.g. a block of flats), at least one charge point is required for each dwelling that has an associated parking space. Where there are fewer parking spaces than dwellings, one charge point per space is required. Cable routes must be provided for any additional parking spaces not fitted with a charge point.

Question 4

What are the commercial building requirements?

Accepted Answer

New non-residential buildings with more than 10 parking spaces must have at least one charge point, plus cable routes to one-fifth of the remaining spaces. For example, a building with 50 spaces needs 1 charge point and cable routes to 10 spaces (one-fifth of the remaining 49, rounded up). This is per AD-S Section 2.

Question 5

Does Part S apply in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland?

Accepted Answer

Part S applies in England only. Wales has its own edition with similar requirements. Scotland amended its Technical Handbook (Section 4, Safety) to include EV charging requirements. Northern Ireland does not yet have equivalent building regulations but may introduce them. The IET Code of Practice for EV Charging Equipment Installation applies UK-wide.

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

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

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)

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

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

Part S EV Charging Requirements

Residential Requirements (AD-S Section 1)

Non-Residential Requirements (AD-S Section 2)

Charge Point Specifications (AD-S)

Cable Route Requirements

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