New Legislation for New Build Homes to have Smart EV Charge Points

New Legislation for New Build Homes to have Smart EV Charge Points

From today, 15th June 2022, new-build residential homes and commercial buildings will be required by law to install electric vehicle charging points. The new building regulations support the government’s plan to cut carbon emissions and encourage more drivers to switch to fully electric, or plug-in hybrid cars, through an improved car charging infrastructure.

Our founder and CEO David Martell, says “Today’s announcement is an important step forward for home charging and will help to promote accessible electric mobility. However, new houses are only a very small part of the overall picture. Charging an EV is more affordable and convenient when done at home so, for mass uptake of EVs to become a reality, the government can and should do more to make home charging more accessible across the UK’s existing housing stock.” 

With the impending ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars and vans in 2030, and hybrids by 2035, the need for an efficient EV charging infrastructure in the UK is becoming ever more urgent. The new legislation, which comes under The Electric Vehicles (Smart Charge Points) Regulations 2021, is regarded by many as a positive step forward. 

However,  March this year saw the government withdraw the £350 OZEV grant, coupled with the  news yesterday (14th June 2022) that the plug-in car grant scheme is to be stopped with immediate effect, those in the market for an EV could be looking at a cost increase of up to £1,850. The removal of government incentives could discourage the purchase of EVs meaning  there is a risk of the electric transition slowing dramatically. 

David goes on to say “Currently, the government applies 5% VAT on domestic electricity, but the VAT rate for the purchase and installation of a charge point remains at 20%, and that can be prohibitive for many who might be considering a shift to electrified mobility.  There is 0% VAT on the installation of qualifying Energy Saving Materials, such as heat pumps and solar panels in residential accommodation, fixed until March 2027.”

He concludes ““Given that the government has now withdrawn the plug-in car grant, which had successfully supported the sale of nearly half a million EVs across the UK, the need for tax relief on installations is even more pressing. We encourage the government to reduce the VAT on the purchase and installation of home charge points so that their own ambitious targets for EV adoption over the next decade can be met.”   

EVIOS endeavours to keep costs down for anyone adopting an electrified future. Our mission is to make electric vehicle charging as simple and smart as possible, and to set a new benchmark in home charging. Built with smart charging in mind, it seamlessly integrates with a wide range of energy tariffs as well as any home energy production (via solar panels or wind generated) at the property. 

In addition to this, EVIOS One has pin-controlled access for added security and offers multi-user functionality which is ideal for shared parking areas, or homes with more than one EV. Landlords for example can issue tenants with their own unique pin and through EVIOS reporting, can accurately allocate electricity costs to each specific tenant. 

To spread the cost of EV charge point installation, EVIOS offers customers the option of interest-free monthly payments. Installing a home smart charge point couldn't be easier with EVIOS.