The new law will affect new-build supermarkets, workplaces and buildings undergoing major renovations
UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has announced a new law that requires all new homes and buildings to have electric vehicle charging points installed from next year.
Boris Johnson announced the new law on Monday at the Confederation of British Industry’s (CBI) conference.
This follows the UK’s ambition to switch to electric cars, with new petrol and diesel vehicles sales banned from 2030.
The government hopes the new law will add around 145,000 extra charge points to the network each year. Britain currently has around 25,000 charging points, but the Competition and Markets Authority advised it needs 10 times as many before 2030.
The uptake of fully-electric cars has increased dramatically in 2021, with 141,296 fully electric cars sold this year to the end of October. That’s an increase of 86% compared with the same period in 2020, where 75,946 were sold.
The new law will affect new-build supermarkets, workplaces and buildings undergoing major renovations.
The installation of these charging points will support the UK’s strategy to switch to electric vehicles and hit the climate target.
Cars and taxis accounted for 16% of UK emissions in 2019.
According to the government press release: This will mean people can buy new properties already ready for an electric vehicle future while ensuring charge points are readily available at new shops and workplaces across the U.K. — making it as easy as refuelling petrol or diesel car today.
The new laws will make it as easy as refuelling a petrol or diesel car today, the government said.
The government added simpler ways to pay to charge vehicles through contactless payments will also be introduced at all new fast and rapid charge points.