By 2035, the United Kingdom aims to phase out the sale of new petrol and diesel cars and cut greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 78% compared with 1990 levels. That means, besides breathing fresher air, we’re going to start seeing more and more EVs everywhere we go.
One key to success in meeting these aggressive environmental goals is the buildout of a nationwide charging network at office buildings, large retail establishments and other commercial properties. Of course, along with such a large-scale national effort comes regulations for EV charging points and cable routes that will affect both new and existing commercial real estate developers.
While these building requirements can be pretty specific, depending on the type of property, the good news is that the benefits of charging far outweigh the complexities of understanding the regulations. You’ll draw in the growing number of tenants who are looking for this modern amenity and increase your property value at the same time. And to help sweeten the deal, the UK government is offering support in the form of grants and tax credits to help you — and your tenants — get started.
Read on to learn more about these new regulations as well as incentives available in the UK to help pay for EV charging infrastructure at workplace properties in particular.
What exactly are the UK EV charging requirements?
Part S of Schedule 1 to the Building Regulations 2010, which took effect in England in 2022, stipulates that new buildings with more than 10 parking spaces must provide at least one EV charging point. In addition, at least one in every five remaining parking spaces must be equipped with cable routes to enable future buildout for charging spots. The same requirement also applies to any buildings undergoing major upgrades.
While Part S only applies to England, Scottish lawmakers introduced similar EV charging infrastructure requirements for commercial buildings in June 2023.
EV charging subsidies for British office buildings
The UK offers generous financial support for commercial property owners and developers looking to meet the latest EV charging regulations. Here are a few incentives available to help:
- Workplace Charging Scheme (WCS). For existing workplace properties with existing parking areas
- 75% of the total costs of the purchase and installation of EV charging points (inclusive of VAT)
- Capped at £350 per socket
- 40 sockets across an applicant’s site or sites
This grant is not available for new properties.
- Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Grant for Staff and Fleets. Available for small and medium-sized businesses with 249 employees or fewer, this infrastructure grant provides funding for the upfront costs of preparing a property for EV charging installation as well as for the charge points themselves.
- 75% of the cost of work is covered
- Up to £350 per socket
- £500 per parking space installed with supporting infrastructure
- Limited to £15,000, but applicants can receive up to five grants for five different sites
The only catch is that this grant cannot be given if the work is a mandatory requirement, as outlined in Part S.
Note that in the context of office buildings, both grants are designed for business applicants (plus charities and public sector organisations in the case of the WCS). If companies rent their office space, the property owner must confirm the right to install charging infrastructure.
One great thing about these incentives is that, although some conditions must be observed, organisations may take advantage of both subsidies — the grants may be used for the same site but not the same chargepoints. While no end date has been published for the WCS, applications for the Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Grant for Staff and Fleets close on 31 March 2025.
A note on the HMRC tax bill
A further nugget for companies recruiting staff is that UK tax authorities do not consider electricity costs for workplace charging a taxable benefit for employees. In addition, businesses can claim a 100% first-year allowance for equipment for electric vehicle charging points.
Tax advisers and the specifics of each case will have to determine whether the allowance applies to the property owner’s tax bill or the tenant’s. But either way, it represents added value in the system.
Let ChargePoint help you navigate regulations and incentives
Having a good EV charging partner is critical to ensure that you adhere to regulatory requirements and take advantage of available incentives and tax benefits. ChargePoint works with property investors, owners and operators to ensure a successful EV charging implementation every step of the way:
- Site design. Get expert advice on site design, based on organisational and employee needs.
- Regulations and incentives. Receive guidance on meeting local building regulations and finding regional incentives to help pay for the implementation.
- Installation. Connect with local, ChargePoint-certified contractors who can work quickly to get necessary infrastructure installed.
- Support. Count on proactive monitoring and maintenance as well as 24/7 driver support, freeing up your staff to focus on what they do best.
This blog post provides a high-level overview of the UK’s commercial real estate regulations and incentives. Details should be for informational purposes only and not interpreted as binding.
