- New Regulations require appropriate infrastructure to enable the installation of recharging points for Electric Vehicles for new buildings and existing buildings undergoing major renovation and with more than ten car parking spaces.
- Regulations also require the installation of a minimum number of recharging points for all existing buildings other than dwellings with more than twenty car parking spaces by 1 January 2025.
- The installation of EV recharging infrastructure will support the Climate Action Plan target of nearly one million electric vehicles to be on the road in Ireland by 2030.
The Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O’Brien TD, has approved the publication of EU (Energy Performance of Buildings) Regulations 2021 for Electric Vehicle recharging infrastructure. These regulations transpose requirements under the EU Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD). The Directive aims to support the European Union’s commitment to the clean energy transition, energy efficiency and decarbonisation of the building stock. The regulations will support at a building level the transition to electric vehicles.
Lack of recharging infrastructure is a barrier to the take-up of electric vehicles in the EU and the revised EPBD has new provisions which aim to accelerate infrastructure deployment. Electric vehicles offer great potential to dramatically reduce greenhouse gas and local air pollution emissions, and resulting climate change impact. These regulations require the implementation of appropriate infrastructure, to enable the installation at a later stage of recharging points for Electric Vehicles, for new buildings and existing buildings undergoing major renovation, with more than ten car parking spaces. They also require the installation of a minimum number of recharging points for all non-residential buildings with more than twenty car parking spaces by 1st January 2025.
Commenting on the regulations, Minister O’Brien said:
“These regulations will continue to enable our Climate Action targets in buildings. These new requirements for Electric Vehicle charging infrastructure add to the Nearly Zero Energy Building Standards already in place for all new buildings being constructed. The regulations will allow and accelerate the uptake of Electric Vehicles, creating and enabling infrastructure to achieve the Government commitment of nearly 1 million Electric Vehicles by 2030.
We are sending a strong signal of Ireland’s commitment to the clean energy transition, as the building sector has a vast potential to contribute to a carbon-neutral and competitive economy.”
The Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications, Eamon Ryan TD, said:
“I welcome these regulations signed by Minister O’Brien which will make it easier for people in new and renovated apartment buildings to join the Electric Vehicle revolution. Electric Vehicle sales are a growing proportion of new car sales, and as more people make the switch it is important that recharging infrastructure is available to facilitate their uptake. We are rolling out several initiatives this year and will shortly begin a consultation on how best to provide EV charging in existing apartment buildings.”
ENDS
Notes for editors
The new regulations also include requirements for the installation of Building Automation and Control systems (BACs) in existing non-residential buildings with heating and air-conditioning systems which have an effective rated output above a threshold of 290 kilowatts by 31st December 2025. These systems are estimated by the EU to contribute to energy savings of up to 20% when installed and operated in existing buildings.
The new Regulations also require self-regulating devices to be installed in new buildings for the separate regulation of the temperature in each room or, where justified, in a designated heated zone of the building unit. There is also a requirement for these devices to be installed in existing buildings where heat generators are replaced, where it is technically and economically feasible.
The regulations avail of the exemption for EV recharging infrastructure for SME’s for eligible buildings set out in the Directive in order to minimise burden on enterprise. The category of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) is made up of enterprises which employ fewer than 250 persons and which have an annual turnover not exceeding EUR 50 million, and/or an annual balance sheet total not exceeding EUR 43 million.
The regulations regarding electric vehicle recharging infrastructure for new buildings and those undergoing major renovation shall not apply to buildings where the submission of a commencement notice or a 7 day notice was made before 10th March 2021.
These regulations underwent public consultation in 2020 and a full Regulatory Impact Analysis was included as part of this consultation.
gov.ie - Public Consultation on the Review of Building Regulations Part L (Conservation of Fuel and Energy) and European Union (Energy Performance of Buildings) Regulations (www.gov.ie)
Costs
The costs of the EV recharging infrastructure requirements vary depending on the requirement and the existing infrastructure. Cost estimates in the Regulatory Impact Assessment in 2020, found that the proposed installation of electric vehicle recharging infrastructure is marginal relative to overall construction costs and are in the order of 0.04% to 0.23%
The cost impact on a new apartment block with 100 car parking spaces for EV recharging infrastructure is in the order of 0.04% which equates to an approximate cost of €100 per apartment.
EU Commission studies have found that BACs should be economically feasible in most cases and industry has identified that these systems would have the potential impact of achieving annual energy savings up to 20.3% of all EU service sector building energy consumption.
The International Energy Agency recommends that:
“Digital solutions in buildings, such as smart sensors and controls for thermostats and lighting, can help consumers use energy more efficiently and unleash behavioural and lifestyle changes that lead to sustainable energy use. Buildings equipped with new technologies can provide flexibility to support power system decarbonisation, security and resilience”
Definitions
Building Automation and Control System: means a system comprising all products, software and engineering services that can support energy efficient, economical and safe operation of technical building systems through automatic controls and by facilitating the manual management of those technical building systems.
Major Renovation: means the renovation of a building where more than 25% of the surface of the building envelope undergoes renovation.