Smart charge regulations herald new era for UK EV Chargepoints

The news that, as of 15 June 2022, all new homes and buildings with associated parking, such as supermarkets or workplaces, will be required to have electric vehicle charging points installed is another sign that the UK is moving in the right direction in terms of promoting cleaner forms of transport.

With transport now the UK's largest carbon-emitting sector, the UK government's plan to decarbonise road transport by transitioning to electric vehicles ("EVs") is essential to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. Currently, over 600 new EV charge points are installed on UK roads each month. However, the government's commitment to phase out the sale of new diesel and petrol cars and vans by 2030 will mean that an estimated 300,000 charge points are needed within the next eight years to meet rising demand.

To meet this target, the UK government announced in March this year its strategy document for encouraging investment in EV infrastructure and removing barriers to the adoption of EV vehicles, titled "Taking charge: the electric vehicle infrastructure strategy".

Read more on the EV infrastructure strategy.

With thanks to Trainee Solicitor, Charlie Smith, co-author of this article.