How Developers Are Solving the EV Infrastructure Problem
Part S Building Regulations Series: Part 3 of 3
In Part 1, we examined what's broken with Part S. In Part 2, we proposed changes to the regulations. But policy moves slowly and developments move quickly. This blog shares practical strategies developers are using today to avoid the problems we've discussed - without waiting for regulatory reform.
Policy moves slowly. Developments move quickly. If you're planning projects today, you need infrastructure that works now, satisfies building regulations, and doesn't blow your budget.
Developers have had to carry much of the cost and hassle of learning how EV infrastructure should be implemented. You've had to navigate policy gaps and unclear guidance whilst trying to keep costs sensible and keep your focus on building high quality properties.
So how can costs be kept to a minimum? Here are our top recommendations.
Avoiding Expensive Design Mistakes
A mistake isn't just getting something wrong. It's also missing an opportunity to do something better.
We see this time and time again. Developers wire EV infrastructure up like they always have despite there being significant innovation opportunities available to them and we see power upgrades and sub-station re-sizing when it's simply not required.
Example: We just visited a site in Central London with 20 allocated parking spaces and provision to only 6 active chargers. These units weren’t commissioned and weren’t communicating.
Key problems facing the developer as a result of failures during design and installation include;
The cost to add communications to the car park
The cost to add 14no. Parking bays of passive infrastructure to ensure compliance with Part S
The potential cost to upgrade power as the system isn’t load managed
Costs associated with purchasing software and commissioning the existing units
Any customer support / complaint costs associated with the facility not being operable until rectified despite being sold as working and breaking the news to those in the 14 bays without provision that they currently don’t have the provision that they were promised
Handing Over Equipment That Doesn't Come Back to Haunt You
30% of all surveys we undertake as a business are to look at new build sites where EV infrastructure has failed, residents are complaining and property managers are boxed into a corner.
Often this can result in a claim back to the developer. Lots of wasted time, disgruntled residents, reputational damage and cost.
The key fix? Partnering not just with a hardware provider and an electrical contractor, but with a CPO (Charge Point Operator) who will actually take on and manage the infrastructure going forward.
For shared parking especially, this means:
Property managers don't need to become EV experts
Non-EV residents don't subsidise infrastructure through service charges
Developers hand over with clear liability boundaries
Residents get professional support and competitive energy rates
Look for operators who can demonstrate:
Live sites they're currently managing (not just installed)
Uptime guarantees
Clear billing systems and energy procurement (if applicable)
Open protocol systems (so you're not locked in)
Actual operational capability (ask to visit a site and talk to the property manager)
Making the Most of the Sales Opportunity
In many scenarios the provision of EV infrastructure can be upsold to residents. Providing a core product and a higher end alternative (much like you do for your kitchens) can create a new margin opportunity for your sales team and in doing so help you recoup the investment into the infrastructure.
Why not offer Vehicle to Grid technology as an extra? A faster charger too (where power allows)? This requires an interconnected approach between procurement, design and sales but it can generate some pretty significant outcomes whilst leaving residents happier.
With search websites like Zoopla now featuring filters for 'EV Charging', the perceived value is very real.
How Can This Be Done Without Distraction?
We get it. You build properties. You don't install EV infrastructure. It's yet another addition to your 'to do' list that wasn't there 10 years ago.
The industry is evolving to help. Several companies (including Cosmic) now focus specifically on taking EV infrastructure complexity away from developers.
In many cases, operators can even pass ongoing revenue back to you from infrastructure you helped install.
The key is finding partners who treat this as operational infrastructure requiring ongoing management. Not just hardware that gets installed and forgotten.
This concludes our three part series on Part S Building Regulation and EV infrastructure for developers. We hope it's been useful, and we'd love to hear your thoughts, especially if you disagree with something we've said.
Want to discuss your specific development? Drop us an enquiry and we'll get working on any project you have, be it early or late stage.
