What Affects Your Number
Electrical supply is often the main constraint. Most older apartment blocks need a supply assessment before chargers can be installed. You must notify your Distribution Network Operator (DNO) if the installation exceeds 3.68 kW per charger. Load balancing systems can reduce per space capacity from 7.2 kVA to around 3.3 kVA, which means more chargers on existing supplies. We assess all of this during our free site survey so you know exactly where you stand.
Parking arrangement matters too. Allocated bays suit dedicated chargers linked to specific flats. Communal parking works better with shared chargers and booking systems.
How many chargers does an existing block actually need?
Survey your residents first. Current EV penetration sits at around 5.2% of all UK vehicles on the road but new car sales are running at 23.4% electric. Adoption varies significantly by region and building demographics. Typical findings range from 2% in older buildings to 15% or more in areas with higher new car ownership. This gives you a practical baseline for planning.
The passive infrastructure approach. Installing cable routes and containment to bays without active chargers is far cheaper than retrofitting later. Groundworks and distribution boards are already in place. Adding a new charger later costs only the unit itself plus a few hours of electrician time. Without passive wiring, you face full groundworks costs for every new charger.
What does Part S require for EV charging in new apartment buildings?
Building Regulations Part S applies to new builds, major renovations, and material change of use. It does not apply to standard retrofit projects. For new apartment buildings, Part S requires chargepoint access for all associated parking spaces unless costs exceed £3,600 per chargepoint on average per dwelling. In that case, cable routes must still be installed. Covered car parks such as basements are exempt from active chargepoint requirements but still need cable routes. We handle Part S compliance as part of every new build project.
Which EV charger grant applies and how many sockets does it cover?
The Residential Landlord Chargepoint Grant provides up to £500 per chargepoint socket, capped at 200 sockets a year. The grant covers 75% of eligible costs. To qualify, you must be a residential landlord, install at least one active chargepoint, and cover a minimum of five parking spaces. Chargepoint models must be OZEV registered to be grant eligible. We handle the full application process. Funding runs to 31 March 2027, so early application is recommended.
Fire Safety
Fire safety guidance can feel overwhelming because not everything you read online is a legal requirement. The key obligation is straightforward. Under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, your building needs a fire risk assessment that accounts for EV chargepoints. The OZEV 2023 guidance provides a clear framework for mitigation measures. Basement and enclosed car parks need particular attention because smoke and heat behave differently in those spaces. We provide all the documentation you need to support your fire risk assessment and we design installations that meet current safety guidance.
