What legislation governs EV charger installation in the UK?

EV charger installation in the UK is governed by multiple overlapping pieces of legislation and technical standards. The primary regulations are: the Electric Vehicles (Smart Charge Points) Regulations 2021 (SI 2021/1467), which mandate smart functionality; Building Regulations Part S (for new and renovated buildings in England); BS 7671:2018+A4:2026 Section 722, which covers the electrical installation requirements (A4:2026 issued 15 April 2026, replacing A2:2022+A3:2024 from 15 October 2026); and the IET Code of Practice for Electric Vehicle Charging Equipment Installation (5th Edition, 2023), which provides detailed installation guidance. Public charge points must also comply with the Public Charge Point Regulations 2023.

What does Building Regulations Part S cover?

Part S of the Building Regulations (England), introduced by the Building Regulations etc. (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2021 and in force from 15 June 2022, covers EV infrastructure in new and renovated buildings. For new residential dwellings with associated parking: each dwelling must have a charge point or cable route. For new non-residential buildings with more than 10 car parking spaces: at least one active charge point per 5 spaces (minimum 7kW) and cable routes for all remaining spaces. For major renovations of non-residential buildings where the car park has more than 10 spaces, the same ratio applies. Compliance must be demonstrated to building control.

What does BS 7671 Section 722 require for EV charging?

BS 7671:2018+A4:2026 Section 722 sets out the specific requirements for electrical installations supplying EV charging equipment. Key requirements include: protective devices — circuit protection against overcurrent and fault current; earthing — on TN-C-S (PME) supplies, the PME facility shall not be used directly for the outdoor charging point protective contact; one of the compliant alternatives under Reg 722.411.4(b)–(e) must be used (e.g. an installation earth electrode sized so that the voltage between the MET and Earth does not exceed 70 V RMS under an O-PEN fault); RCD protection — 30mA RCD protection for EV charging circuits; cable sizing — cables must be rated for continuous operation at the maximum charging current; labelling — the charging point and its supply circuit must be labelled; and testing — the installation must be tested and certificated in accordance with Part 6 (inspection and testing). The IET Code of Practice provides detailed guidance on meeting these requirements in practice.

Is the IET Code of Practice a legal requirement?

The IET Code of Practice for Electric Vehicle Charging Equipment Installation is not itself statutory legislation, but it is recognised by OZEV as the authoritative guidance for EV charger installation. OZEV-approved installer schemes (required for grant-funded installations) assess installers against the Code of Practice. In practice, following the Code of Practice is the standard method of demonstrating compliance with BS 7671:2018+A4:2026 Section 722 and the Smart Charge Points Regulations. The 5th Edition (2023) is the current version and covers smart charging, load management, and DC charging. GN3 (Guide to Inspection and Testing) also requires that inspectors of EV charging installations consult the IET Code of Practice to determine appropriate inspection items, tests, and acceptance criteria.

What are the earthing requirements for EV charge points under BS 7671?

Earthing is a critical and frequently misunderstood aspect of EV charger installation under BS 7671:2018+A4:2026 Section 722. For TN-C-S (PME) systems — the most common in the UK — a PME earthing facility shall not be used directly as the means of earthing for the protective conductor contact(s) of an outdoor charging point (Regulation 722.411.4). Instead, one of four compliant alternatives (b)–(e) must be used: (b) an installation earth electrode connected to the MET, sized so that the voltage between the MET and Earth does not exceed 70 V RMS in the event of an open-circuit fault in the PEN conductor (O-PEN fault) — Annex A722.3 gives the calculation method; (c) a device that disconnects the vehicle from live conductors and from protective earth within 5 s if the CPC-to-Earth voltage exceeds 70 V RMS; (d) a device that disconnects within 5 s if the line-to-neutral voltage falls outside 207–253 V RMS; or (e) equivalent protective functionality built into the charging equipment. Note that 200 Ω is not the normative criterion — the actual requirement is the 70 V RMS voltage limit under O-PEN fault conditions. For TN-S systems, a separate earth electrode is not required for outdoor charging but is best practice. The IET Code of Practice Section 6 covers earthing arrangements in detail.

What are the Public Charge Point Regulations 2023?

The Public Charge Point Regulations 2023 (SI 2023/1168) apply to publicly accessible charge points above 8kW in Great Britain. Key requirements include: contactless payment — charge points must accept contactless debit and credit card payment without the need for a subscription, app, or membership; transparent pricing — price per kWh must be clearly displayed; roaming — charge points must support open roaming standards; availability — charge points must be available 99% of the time (measured annually); and reporting — operators must submit data to the National Charge Point Registry. These regulations are enforced by OZEV and the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA).

Do the Smart Charge Points Regulations apply to rapid DC chargers?

No. The Electric Vehicles (Smart Charge Points) Regulations 2021 apply only to privately-owned AC charge points up to 22kW (Mode 3 charging). They do not apply to publicly accessible rapid DC charge points (50kW+), which are covered by the Public Charge Point Regulations 2023 instead. However, DC charge points installed at private premises (e.g., fleet depots) are not subject to the Smart Charge Points Regulations either, as these regulations target the residential and workplace AC charging market.

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EV Charging Regulations UK 2026: Laws & Standards for EV Chargers

The complete legal framework for EV charging in the UK — the Electric Vehicles (Smart Charge Points) Regulations 2021, Building Regulations Part S, BS 7671 Section 722, the IET Code of Practice, and the Public Charge Point Regulations 2023 — explained clearly for electricians, businesses, and property developers.

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Do I need to notify an EV charger installation?

Yes. Installing an EV charge point is notifiable electrical work — it normally adds a new dedicated circuit, so it must be notified under the Building Regulations (Part P in England) and certified to BS 7671. It must comply with Section 722, including a dedicated RCD with DC fault detection, and is registered either through a competent person scheme or via building control.

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Key Takeaways

1The Electric Vehicles (Smart Charge Points) Regulations 2021 (SI 2021/1467) make smart functionality mandatory for all new AC charge points up to 22kW sold or installed in Great Britain from 30 June 2022.
2Building Regulations Part S (England) requires new non-residential buildings with more than 10 parking spaces to have at least one active charge point per 5 spaces, and cable ducting for all remaining spaces, from 15 June 2022.
3BS 7671:2018+A4:2026 Section 722 sets out the electrical installation requirements for EV charging installations, including earthing, protective devices, cable sizing, and testing requirements. A4:2026 was issued 15 April 2026 (may be implemented immediately) and replaces A2:2022+A3:2024 from 15 October 2026.
4The IET Code of Practice for Electric Vehicle Charging Equipment Installation (5th Edition, 2023) is the authoritative installation guidance document referenced by OZEV, NICEIC, and NAPIT for EV installer certification.
5The Public Charge Point Regulations 2023 require publicly accessible charge points above 8kW to support contactless payment and meet 99% availability requirements — enforced by the Office for Zero Emission Vehicles.

01 · EV Legislation Guide

Electric Vehicles (Smart Charge Points) Regulations 2021

The Electric Vehicles (Smart Charge Points) Regulations 2021 (SI 2021/1467) were made under powers in the Automated and Electric Vehicles Act 2018. They came into force on 30 June 2022 and apply to all new privately-owned AC charge points up to 22kW sold or installed in Great Britain from that date.

Scope — applies to charge points at homes, workplaces, and private destinations (e.g., hotel car parks, supermarkets) that are not publicly accessible and are AC Mode 3 up to 22kW. Does not apply to public charge points (covered by PCP Regulations 2023) or DC charge points.
Mandatory smart functionality — all qualifying charge points must support: scheduled charging, randomised startup delay (up to 10 minutes), demand-side response capability, energy metering and monitoring, and minimum cybersecurity standards.
Default off-peak setting — charge points must be pre-configured to charge during off-peak hours (midnight to 8am Monday to Friday, midnight to 11am Saturday and Sunday) unless the user actively changes this. This 'smart default' aims to shift demand away from peak grid periods.
Enforcement — OZEV can issue financial penalties to manufacturers and importers of non-compliant charge points. Electricians who install non-compliant charge points risk losing OZEV-approved installer status.

See our full guide to smart EV charging for a detailed explanation of each smart functionality requirement and how it affects installation and commissioning.

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02 · EV Legislation Guide

Building Regulations Part S — EV Infrastructure

Part S of Schedule 1 to the Building Regulations 2010 (England) was introduced by the Building Regulations etc. (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2021 (SI 2021/1392) and came into force on 15 June 2022. It requires EV charging infrastructure in new and certain renovated buildings.

New residential dwellings with parking — each dwelling must have an EV charge point (minimum 7kW) or, where a charge point is not possible due to the electrical supply, a cable route (ducting) to enable future installation. This includes houses, flats, and houses converted into flats.
New non-residential buildings (more than 10 spaces) — at least one active charge point per 5 parking spaces (rounded down), plus cable routes for all remaining spaces. The charge point must be a minimum 7kW and must meet the Smart Charge Points Regulations.
Major renovation of non-residential buildings — where the renovation includes the car park or the car park has more than 10 spaces and the total cost of the renovation exceeds 25% of the building's value, the same charge point ratio applies. Buildings completed before 15 June 2022 are not retrospectively required to comply.
Approved Document S — the technical guidance for Part S compliance is set out in Approved Document S (2021 edition). It covers the minimum charge point specification, cable route requirements, metering, and documentation requirements for building control sign-off.

Wales and Scotland have separate building regulations with similar but not identical provisions. Northern Ireland follows the Building Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2012 (as amended), which currently has more limited EV infrastructure requirements.

03 · EV Legislation Guide

BS 7671:2018+A4:2026 Section 722 — EV Charging Installations

Section 722 of BS 7671:2018+A4:2026 (the 18th Edition IET Wiring Regulations, Amendment 4) sets out the specific electrical installation requirements for EV charging equipment. A4:2026 contains significant changes to Section 722 — installers working to A2:2022 should review the revised regulation text before certifying new work. A4:2026 was issued 15 April 2026 and may be implemented immediately; A2:2022+A3:2024 will be withdrawn on 15 October 2026.

Regulation 722.411.4 — Earthing (TN-C-S/PME) — a PME earthing facility shall not be used directly for the protective conductor contact(s) of an outdoor charging point. One of four compliant alternatives must be used: (b) an installation earth electrode connected to the MET, sized so that the voltage between the MET and Earth does not exceed 70 V RMS under an O-PEN (open-circuit PEN conductor) fault — Annex A722.3 gives the calculation method; (c) a device that disconnects the vehicle from live conductors and from protective earth within 5 s if the CPC-to-Earth voltage exceeds 70 V RMS; (d) a device that disconnects within 5 s if the line-to-neutral voltage falls outside 207–253 V RMS; or (e) equivalent protective functionality within the charging equipment. Note: 200 Ω is not the normative criterion — the actual requirement is the 70 V RMS voltage limit. For TN-S systems, a separate electrode is not required but is best practice.
Regulation 722.531 — Protective devices — EV charging circuits must be protected by an RCD with rated residual operating current not exceeding 30mA. Additionally, protection against DC fault currents is required, either by using a Type B RCD or an RCM (residual current monitor) with appropriate disconnection. Most dedicated EV chargers incorporate internal DC fault current protection, removing the need for a Type B RCD at the distribution board.
Regulation 722.533 — Overcurrent protection — the circuit protective device must be rated for the maximum continuous operating current. For a 32A (7.4kW) charger, the circuit is typically protected by a 32A Type B or Type C MCB. For 40A (9.6kW, uncommon in UK), a 40A MCB is required.
Section 537 (applied via Section 722) — Isolation — a means of isolation must be provided for the EV charging installation, capable of isolating both live conductors (L and N on single-phase). This is typically provided by a double-pole MCB or isolator at the consumer unit.
Regulation 722.311.201 — Load curtailment (A4:2026) — load curtailment, including automatic or manual load reduction or disconnection, may be taken into account when determining the maximum demand of the installation or part thereof. This is the regulatory basis for dynamic load management systems on multi-charger commercial or fleet sites, allowing the supply to be sized for managed simultaneous demand rather than worst-case peak load.
Section 722 certification — EV charging installations must be inspected, tested, and certificated in accordance with Part 6 of BS 7671. Use the Elec-Mate EV charging certificate to complete the required documentation on site.

04 · EV Legislation Guide

IET Code of Practice for EV Charging Equipment Installation

The IET Code of Practice for Electric Vehicle Charging Equipment Installation (5th Edition, 2023) is the definitive installation guidance document for UK EV charger installers. Published by the Institution of Engineering and Technology, it is co-sponsored by BEAMA, the Electrical Contractors' Association, and the Electricity Network Association.

Status — not statutory law, but recognised by OZEV, NICEIC, NAPIT, and the EV installer certification bodies as the authoritative guidance. Following the Code of Practice is the standard method of demonstrating competence and compliance with BS 7671 Section 722.
5th Edition coverage — the 2023 edition covers Mode 2 and Mode 3 AC charging, DC charging, smart charging requirements under the 2021 Regulations, load management, solar integration, energy storage, earthing arrangements for all system types, cable sizing, protective devices, and documentation requirements.
OZEV installer assessment — the OZEV-approved installer qualification (required for grant-funded installations) tests knowledge of the Code of Practice. Installers must demonstrate understanding of earthing, protective device selection, load management, and certification requirements.
GN3 inspection requirement — when inspecting EV charging installations, GN3 (IET Guidance Note 3: Inspection and Testing, 9th Edition) requires that the inspector shall consult the IET Code of Practice to determine appropriate inspection items, tests, and acceptance criteria specific to EV equipment. Inspectors cannot rely solely on the standard Appendix 6 schedule for EV work.
Chapter 82 — Prosumer's Electrical Installations (A4:2026) — EV installations that incorporate solar PV generation, battery storage, or bidirectional (V2G) charging must also comply with Chapter 82 of BS 7671:2018+A4:2026. Chapter 82 is a new chapter covering design, erection, and verification of all low-voltage installations where local production or storage of energy is present (Prosumer's Electrical Installations). This is increasingly relevant given the growth of solar-integrated and energy-storage-backed EV installations covered by the IET Code of Practice 5th Edition.
Purchasing the Code of Practice — the 5th Edition is available from the IET Shop (theiet.org) in print and digital formats. The digital edition includes hyperlinked cross-references and is updated between print editions when regulations change.

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05 · EV Legislation Guide

Public Charge Point Regulations 2023

The Public Charge Point Regulations 2023 (SI 2023/1168) set standards for publicly accessible EV charge points in Great Britain above 8kW. These regulations apply to operators of charge points accessible to the general public, including retail car parks, motorway service areas, and on-street charging.

Contactless payment — publicly accessible charge points above 8kW must accept contactless payment (debit and credit card) without requiring a subscription, app download, or pre-registration. This ended the practice of network-only charging that locked out drivers without a specific RFID card.
Transparent pricing — prices must be displayed clearly per kWh before the session starts. Session fees, connection fees, and time-based fees must be disclosed. Hidden fees or unclear pricing are prohibited.
Availability — operators of rapid chargers (50kW+) must maintain 99% annual availability and publish availability data. Failure to maintain availability exposes operators to enforcement action by OZEV or the CMA.
Data reporting — operators must submit data to the National Charge Point Registry (NCPR), including charge point location, power rating, connector type, status, and pricing. This data is publicly accessible and used by navigation apps.

06 · EV Legislation Guide

Enforcement & Penalties

Multiple bodies have enforcement powers over different aspects of EV charging legislation. Understanding the enforcement landscape helps electricians and charge point operators avoid costly penalties.

OZEV — Smart Charge Points Regulations — OZEV can issue civil penalties to manufacturers and importers of non-compliant charge points. Maximum penalty of £10,000 per non-compliant unit. OZEV-approved installer status can be revoked for repeated installation of non-compliant equipment.
Building control — Part S — failure to comply with Part S during new construction or renovation can result in building control refusing to issue a completion certificate, preventing the building being occupied. Retrospective regularisation is possible but costly.
CMA — Public Charge Point Regulations — the Competition and Markets Authority enforces the Public Charge Point Regulations 2023. The CMA has powers to issue compliance notices and ultimately seek court orders requiring compliance. Financial penalties are available for continued non-compliance.
Local authorities — planning — installing an EV charger without required planning permission can result in enforcement notices requiring removal. Listed building consent violations can result in criminal prosecution.

07 · EV Legislation Guide

For Electricians: Staying Compliant with EV Legislation

EV charging legislation is evolving rapidly. Electricians who keep their knowledge current and maintain OZEV-approved installer status are well-positioned to capture a growing market. The key obligations are straightforward: install only OZEV-approved smart chargers, follow BS 7671 Section 722 and the IET Code of Practice, and certify every installation correctly.

Certificate Every Installation Correctly

Use the Elec-Mate EV charging certificate app to complete a BS 7671-compliant electrical installation certificate for every EV charger you install. The app covers supply details, earthing arrangements, protective device ratings, RCD type, insulation resistance, earth electrode resistance, and all required test results — then exports a professional PDF for the client and OZEV records.

Apply WCS Grants for Your Clients

As an OZEV-approved installer you can apply for WCS grants on behalf of your business clients, deducting £350 per socket from your invoice. Use the Elec-Mate quoting app to show grant deductions clearly and increase your quote acceptance rate.

EV Charger Installation Regulations UK (BS 7671 Section 722)

EV charge point rules explained: BS 7671 Section 722, PEN-fault protection, RCD type and DNO notification. What every installer must get right.

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EV Charging Regulations UK 2026: Laws & Standards for EV Chargers

Do I need to notify an EV charger installation?

Key Takeaways

Electric Vehicles (Smart Charge Points) Regulations 2021

Get the BS 7671 A4:2026 Cheat Sheet — free

Building Regulations Part S — EV Infrastructure

BS 7671:2018+A4:2026 Section 722 — EV Charging Installations

IET Code of Practice for EV Charging Equipment Installation

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Public Charge Point Regulations 2023

Enforcement & Penalties

For Electricians: Staying Compliant with EV Legislation

Certificate Every Installation Correctly

Apply WCS Grants for Your Clients

EV Charger Installation Regulations UK (BS 7671 Section 722)

Frequently Asked Questions About EV Charging Regulations UK

What legislation governs EV charger installation in the UK?

What does Building Regulations Part S cover?

What does BS 7671 Section 722 require for EV charging?

Is the IET Code of Practice a legal requirement?

What are the earthing requirements for EV charge points under BS 7671?

What are the Public Charge Point Regulations 2023?

Do the Smart Charge Points Regulations apply to rapid DC chargers?

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Smart EV Charging UK

Workplace EV Charging

EV Charger Grants UK

Tethered vs Untethered EV Charger

EV Charging Certificate App

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