The required number of EV charging points must be based on the total number of parking spaces that serve the assessed building. This total includes both existing spaces and any new spaces associated with the project.
Where parking is shared across a wider site, the “associated” number of spaces refers to the amount of parking the assessed building is expected to rely on for its occupants. A proportional allocation calculation must be used to determine this number.
Example:
If a project sits on a site with 1,000 shared spaces but the new building’s occupancy requires only 100 spaces, the EV requirement is calculated based on 100 spaces, not the full 1,000.
- General Requirements
- Defining the parking that counts. Use a proportional allocation method to determine how many spaces in a shared car park are associated with the project.
- Short-stay exclusion: Short-stay spaces with a maximum stay of 15 minutes (e.g., pick-up/drop-off bays) are excluded from the EV calculation.
- EV Charging points location: EV charging points should be installed as close as possible to the building’s main entrance to ensure convenient access for the building users.
- Existing infrastructure: Existing EV charging points in a shared car park can only be counted when:
- They exceed the BREEAM requirement for the buildings they were originally installed to serve,
- They meet current BREEAM requirements, and
- They form part of the new project’s allocated parking.
- No “legacy” exclusions: Existing parking spaces cannot be excluded simply because they predate the BREEAM assessment. If the spaces serve the assessed building, they are in scope.
- Operational policy. It is recommended, but not mandatory, that building management implement operational measures (e.g., signage, permits, digital access controls) to help ensure that EV spaces are used by the intended building users.
- New Buildings on a Site or Extensions
- Calculation basis for new buildings or extensions, EV requirements must be based on the total parking demand associated with the project, including both existing associated spaces and any new spaces created.
- Proportional allocation formula
- Determine the project’s share of the total site parking using either GIA or occupancy.
- Allocated project parking = Total site parking × (Project GIA ÷ Total GIA), OR
- Allocated project parking = Total site parking × (Project occupancy ÷ Total occupancy)
- Phased Development
- Current Phase: The EV calculation should be based on the parking demand of the phase under assessment, including the existing infrastructure and any new parking spaces delivered in that phase.
- Existing Infrastructure: EV charging provision installed in previous phases may count towards compliance where it meets the required threshold for the current phase
- Future Phases: Provisions in future phases may be counted only if secured by a legally binding commitment (such as a signed contract or planning obligation) with a confirmed delivery timeline.
