Mandatory installation of electric car chargers in new buildings and buildings undergoing major renovation

The amendment to the Government Decree on the energy performance of buildings, in force from 1 January 2022, requires parking spaces in existing buildings, new buildings or buildings undergoing major renovation (including the electrical infrastructure of the building) to be equipped with an electric car charger or to have an electrical connection facility to enable the charger to be installed at a later date.

The annex to the Government Decree specifies the buildings for which a charging point must be installed and the number of parking spaces for which a charging point must be prepared in advance. In the case of a new construction or a major renovation involving electrical infrastructure for non-residential buildings, if there are at least ten parking spaces and the parking is located within the building or directly adjacent to the building, it is mandatory to install an electric charging point, and every fifth parking space shall be adequately equipped for the subsequent installation of a charging point.

For residential buildings, if there are more than ten parking spaces and the parking is located inside or directly adjacent to the building, the preparation for the possible electrical connection of each parking space to have a charging point is required. In the case of already existing non-residential buildings with 20 or more parking spaces, at least one electric charging point must be installed from 1 January 2025 if the parking space is located inside or directly adjacent to the building.

It is important to note that the non-residential building category includes not only stores and shopping centres, but also office buildings, parking garages, commercial buildings (excluding indoor markets), independent shops, retail shops, consumer goods repair shops, service stations, accommodation and catering buildings (excluding camps), buildings used for education, health care, entertainment, sports and public entertainment. However, there is no obligation for existing residential buildings, so it is primarily up to the residents’ association to decide whether to allow residents with electric cars to have a charger installed inside the parking of the condominium.

The new regulation, which entered into force on 1 January 2022, could give a new boost to the uptake of electromobility since it contains requirements for most new non-residential buildings. As the trend of opting for green(er) energy and technology continues to spread, this legislation aims to fortify and support wider e-vehicle use and maintenance.