Part S requirements for EV charge points

As one of the more recent developments in the government’s ambitious net zero journey, Part S aims to make electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure more accessible, thereby increasing the appeal of EVs to promote better uptake ahead of the 2035 ban (pushed back from the original 2030 date) on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars.

So, what does Approved Document S say about EV charge points and what implications does it have for you?

Standards for electric vehicle charge points

The guidance sets out several requirements for EV charge points. They must be capable of providing a reasonable power output to their intended parking spaces, they must run on a dedicated circuit, and they must be compatible with any vehicle which may require access to them.

In addition to the standard features of an EV charging point, such as having a minimum nominal rated output of 7kW and being fitted with a universal socket (also known as an untethered EV charge point), the guidance states they should also meet the following criteria:

• Be designed and installed as per BS EN 61851
• Be fitted with an indicator to show the equipment’s charging status
• Be a minimum of a Mode 3 specialised system for EV charging running from a dedicated circuit, or equivalent 
• The requirements of BS 7671
• The requirements in the IET’s Code of Practice: Electric Vehicle Charging Equipment Installation

In addition, The Electric Vehicles (Smart Charge Points) Regulations, which also came into force last year, offers further instruction to support the widespread installation of charge points and ensure they are as future-proof as possible, as well as helping to manage the increase in electricity demand resulting from the move to EVs.

This regulation states charging points should also be ‘smart’, meaning they should be able to schedule charging during off-peak hours or periods of low demand to alleviate strain on the national grid. Furthermore, the charge point should be equipped to measure, record and transmit usage data in terms of energy or time.

Standards for cable routes and locations

Building supporting infrastructure for the future expansion of EV charging is a key focus of Part S, meaning installers need to incorporate cable routes to all parking spaces with the capacity to accommodate future EV charge points.

The guidance therefore includes a list of considerations for each parking space that requires either an EV charge point or cable routes for an EV charge point to be installed in the future, simplifying the tasks of both you and potential future installers.

According to the guidance:

• The location of the EV charge point or future connection location should be suitable for use by EVs with charging inlets in different places.
• Where accessible parking spaces are associated with the building, at least one accessible parking space should have either an EV charge point or a future connection location.
• A charge point/future connection location may be sited to serve more than one parking space if the unit/cable routes are suitable to sustain such charging capacity.
• Sufficient space for a new electrical connection at a metered supply point should be provided.
• Cable should provide a safe and unobstructed route to distribute electricity from the electrical supply point to the future connection location. 
• Sufficient space is required to allow an EV charge point to be installed safely.
• A future connection location must be specified.
• Any future connection locations should be clearly identified and labelled. 

Compliant EV charging points

The transition to EVs is an important part of the UK’s net zero targets. Recent guidance such as Approved Document S and the Smart Charge Points Regulations outline the government’s expectations for new EV technology to support the rollout of charge points, ensuring quality solutions that are as future-proof as possible.