What does Part S of the Building Regulations require?

Part S requires that every new dwelling with associated parking in England must have at least one EV charge point capable of providing a minimum charge rate of 7kW. The charge point must have a socket outlet or be cable management with a socket outlet, and must meet the EV Smart Charge Points Regulations 2021. It applies to new residential buildings, existing residential buildings undergoing major renovation with more than 10 parking spaces, and new non-residential buildings with more than 10 parking spaces.

My new build has a 'cable run' but no charger. Is that Part S compliant?

It depends. Part S for new dwellings requires an actual charge point, not just a cable route. However, some developers have interpreted and implemented Part S differently, and enforcement has been uneven. If your new build has only a cable run (sometimes called a 'charge point ready' installation) rather than a working socket, it is worth checking your completion certificate and asking your developer to clarify compliance. Adding a wallbox to an existing cable run is typically a 1–2 hour job for an OZEV-authorised installer.

Can I claim the OZEV grant if my new build already has a charger?

No. The OZEV EV Chargepoint Grant (up to £500) is only available to renters and leasehold flat owners — not to homeowners with their own parking. If your new build includes a charger as part of the developer's Part S compliance, there is no additional grant available. If you want to upgrade to a different or more capable charger, you would pay the full installation cost yourself.

Is Part S different in Scotland and Wales?

Yes. Scotland has its own building regulations and introduced EV charger requirements for new builds separately — the Scottish Government has consulted on similar provisions but the implementation timeline differs from England. Wales follows the England Part S requirements. Northern Ireland has its own building regulations and has not yet enacted equivalent EV charger requirements. Always check with your developer which regulations apply to your specific site.

EV charger in a new build: what Part S means for you.

Since June 2022, every new home built in England with parking must include an EV charge point under Part S of the Building Regulations. Here is what that means in practice — and what to do if your builder's install is not up to scratch.

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Part S in force since

15 June 2022

Minimum charge rate required

7kW

Applies to new homes with parking in

England

What is Part S of the Building Regulations?

Part S is the section of the Building Regulations in England that sets minimum requirements for electric vehicle infrastructure in new and significantly renovated buildings. It came into force on 15 June 2022 and applies to:

New residential buildings with associated parking
Existing residential buildings undergoing major renovation, where there are more than 10 parking spaces
New non-residential buildings with more than 10 parking spaces (offices, retail, etc.)

For new homes — the most common situation buyers encounter — Part S requires at least one functional EV charge point per dwelling where parking is provided. That charge point must deliver a minimum of 7kW and must comply with the Electric Vehicles (Smart Charge Points) Regulations 2021.

Part S is an England regulation. Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland have their own building regulations. Wales follows England's Part S. Scotland has consulted on equivalent requirements but implementation differs. See the Scotland and Wales section below.

What developers are legally required to install

For a new residential building with parking, the developer must install at least one EV charge point per parking space associated with a dwelling. The charge point must:

Be capable of delivering a minimum 7kW charge rate
Have a socket outlet (Type 2 is standard in the UK) or cable management system with a socket outlet
Comply with the Smart Charge Points Regulations 2021 — meaning it must be a smart charger with scheduling capability
Be installed by a qualified electrician and covered by an Electrical Installation Certificate

The regulation also covers the electrical infrastructure behind the charger: the developer must ensure the dwelling's consumer unit has sufficient capacity, and that cabling is appropriately sized for the load.

What new build buyers actually get in practice

The gap between what Part S requires and what buyers receive varies significantly by developer. Here is what different levels of compliance look like in practice:

What developer installs	Part S compliant?	What it means for you
Full 7kW smart wallbox, working and commissioned	Yes — fully compliant	Plug in and go. You may still want to upgrade to a preferred brand.
7kW socket outlet (untethered), no specific brand charger	Yes — compliant	Works, but no dedicated app or smart scheduling until paired with a cable.
Cable run + consumer unit capacity, no socket	Disputed — developer should install a socket	You need an installer to add the wallbox. Fast job (1–2 hrs) if cabling is in place.
Nothing — developer claims shared parking exemption	Only if truly communal — check the small print	If you have allocated parking, challenge the developer or contact your local authority.

The most common complaint from new build buyers is receiving a basic, low-cost charger that lacks app control, smart tariff integration, or solar divert — all of which require an upgraded model. This is legal under Part S, which sets a floor, not a ceiling.

Upgrading your builder's charger installation

If your new build has a compliant but basic charger and you want to replace it with a Zappi, Ohme, or Hypervolt, the process is straightforward:

01
Check what cabling is already in place
A new build that complies with Part S already has a 32A dedicated circuit from the consumer unit to the parking position. This is what a 7kW wallbox requires. Any OZEV-authorised installer can confirm this during a free survey.
02
Choose your replacement charger
The most popular upgrades from builder installs are the Zappi (for solar owners), Ohme Home Pro (for Octopus Energy users), and Hypervolt Home 3 (for solar-compatible mid-range). All work on the existing 32A circuit.
03
Book an OZEV-authorised installer
Swapping one wallbox for another on an existing circuit typically takes 1–2 hours. The installer removes the old unit, fits the new one, commissions it, and updates the Electrical Installation Certificate.

Check your builder's warranty clause. Some new build contracts include a clause about modifications to installed equipment during the warranty period (typically 2 years). Replacing the charger with one of your own choice is unlikely to affect your structural warranty, but check your contract or ask your developer before booking.

For a full comparison of charger brands, see our best home EV charger UK guide.

Can you claim the OZEV grant on a new build?

The OZEV EV Chargepoint Grant (up to £500 off installation costs) is targeted at renters and leasehold flat owners — not homeowners with their own parking space. If you are buying a new build house with its own driveway or parking bay, you are unlikely to qualify for the grant.

New build buyer type	OZEV grant available?
New build house owner with private parking	No — homeowners with dedicated parking do not qualify
New build flat owner (leasehold) with allocated parking	Potentially yes — leasehold flat owners can qualify if other criteria are met
New build flat renter with allocated parking	Potentially yes — renters can qualify if other criteria are met

If you are buying or renting a new build flat and think you may qualify, see our detailed guide on the EV charger grant for flats.

Part S in Scotland and Wales

Wales follows England's Part S requirements. New builds in Wales with parking are subject to the same 7kW minimum and smart charger requirements as England.

Scotland has its own building regulations. The Scottish Government consulted on EV charger requirements for new builds, and similar provisions are being phased in, but the implementation timeline and exact requirements differ from England. Check with your developer or local authority for the specific rules applicable to your site.

Northern Ireland has its own building regulations and has not enacted equivalent Part S requirements at the time of writing (November 2026). New builds in Northern Ireland are not subject to the same mandatory EV provision.

Common questions

Since 15 June 2022, all new residential buildings in England with associated parking must include EV charger provision under Part S of the Building Regulations. This applies to new homes with parking. However, 'provision' means a cable route and consumer unit capacity — not necessarily a working wallbox — so what buyers actually receive varies by developer.

Upgrading your new build charger?

Our OZEV-authorised installers can replace your builder's charger with any brand on the existing circuit. Free quote, no obligation.

Graham Dodd

Director · Drives a Volkswagen ID. Buzz

Graham co-founded Power EV and EV Charge Cable with the aim of removing the guesswork from home EV charging. Getting a charger fitted and choosing the right cable are closely linked decisions, and running both sites lets the team give joined-up advice on both.

Meet the team