When EV infrastructure goes wrong: common pitfalls to avoid at new build developments

We've recently visited a handful of new build sites across the UK. Different regions, developers and contractors, but very similar issues cropping up across the board. After working on over 100,000 charge point installations across new build projects, we've seen it all. But it’s concerning to see the same costly mistakes happening, creating expensive headaches for everyone involved: developers, property managers, and residents.

Let’s walk through the most common issues we’re seeing and, more importantly, how you can avoid them costing you serious money. 

Getting EV charging right will keep developers, property managers and residents happy.

Common EV charging mistakes

1. No connectivity 

Installing chargers across your development without connectivity to Wi-Fi or mobile data leaves you with rather expensive sockets. Sure, they can charge the car, but that’s about it. 

No remote monitoring, no usage tracking, no scheduled charging, no software updates and most importantly, no easy way to bill residents for the energy they use. Under the Landlord and Tenant Act (1985), billing for electricity must be efficient and fair, with drivers paying only for what they consume. Without proper connectivity and tracking, you’re stuck with no way to effectively bill residents and recover energy costs. 

2. No commissioning process

Commissioning isn't just a tick box exercise. It's how you ensure safety, compliance, and that residents can actually access the chargers you've installed. Yet we regularly find installations without a proper commissioning process in place. This results in no clear onboarding process for new users or way to grant access, or even worse, chargers that just don’t work. Proper commissioning activates your Warranty and protects your investment from day one.

3. No maintenance plan

Chargers are more often than not installed without a plan to maintain them. Clearly this is bad for the longevity and safety of the installation; so much so in fact that many insurers now mandate that chargers are maintained annually. Without a maintenance regime in place charger often have to be decommissioned rendering the installation entirely pointless!

Maintenance isn’t a luxury. It's now mandatory. 

4. No clear signage 

It sounds obvious, but you’d be surprised how often we see installations without any signage. Residents don't know the charging exists, can't find it, or have no idea how to use it. Clear signage and communication aren't nice-to-haves. 

5. Installing ‘cable routes’ that just aren’t viable

The building regulations require cable routes between the power source and the eventual charge point installation location. All too often such cable routes simply aren’t thought through and lead to residents incurring significant costs to install. 

Examples include undersized ducting routes or tight corners with no means of navigating cable through them. We also regularly see post mounting foundations that aren’t secure or don’t have cable entry openings. 

For homebuilders seeking to cut costs this is a risky strategy. Homeowners can make a claim to remediate if works are not undertaken to standard and as EV adoption grows and demand for charging does too we’re starting to see this occur more frequently. 

With the right EV partner and some planning, you can get EV charging right.

How to avoid common EV pitfalls

These problems aren't inevitable. Here at Cosmic, we built our entire service around preventing them.

Bespoke design that actually works

Our design service means you get the right solution for your specific development, not a one-size-fits-all approach. We work with your team from the early stages to create infrastructure that considers future demand, not just today's minimum requirements.

This means fewer costly modifications later, and opportunities to upsell charging capabilities to residents across additional bays. Better for your budget, better for residents.

We take on the ongoing hassle

Cosmic adopts and manages your EV infrastructure after installation. We take on all the complexity: maintenance, resident onboarding, billing and customer support. It means developers can hand over completed projects without the usual EV infrastructure headaches.

Residents pay a straightforward monthly membership fee to access the network, plus the energy they use (similar to how you'd pay for high-speed internet). Simple, transparent, fair.

Designed for tomorrow, not just today

Our designs factor in how EV adoption will grow across your development. We use smart load management solutions that allow for expansion without expensive electrical upgrades. And because we manage the system long-term, we'll install additional chargers at fixed costs as demand increases.

Every Cosmic installation includes full connectivity as standard. Residents get app-based control, scheduled charging, and transparent billing. We’ll design infrastructure that actually adds value to your development.

Why getting EV charging right matters

Poor EV infrastructure can cost serious money to fix. With Part S now mandatory and the 2030 deadline approaching, developers can't afford to get this wrong. But the good news is that with a bit of planning and the right partner, EV charging can genuinely enhance your development and your margins. 

If you want to discuss your next project and how Cosmic can help, get in touch for a free consultation.