Summary and Recommendation
There is new legislation requiring the inclusion of EV charge points in new buildings and those undergoing major renovation, with certain exemptions around cost of installation allowed for. All businesses involved in the construction of new buildings or major renovation of existing buildings will be equally affected through the requirement to provide EV charging infrastructure. However, in most cases it is expected that this cost will be passed to the customer, meaning that there will be no cost to the business itself, and homes in particular will be more marketable for developers to sell more competitively or at a higher price.
The legislation will impact developers and those involved in the property and real estate development markets, potentially increasing their costs slightly but with cost caps in place. The legislation will also encourage an uptake in EVs throughout Scotland growing the market for EV provision, EV infrastructure provision and associated support services, which will provide opportunities for those sector businesses and for new businesses to emerge to service those needs. There may be a detriment to those involved in the sale of petrol and diesel as demand is anticipated to reduce.
Crucially, it is clear that, and the ClimateXChange research demonstrated this, the cost of installing EV infrastructure, whether that be ducting or charge points, is more cost effective at the point of construction than retrofitting buildings at a later date. In particular, it is more cost effective for building owners, installers and, ultimately, the consumers to do so at the point of construction.
It will also ensure that we are providing an environment conducive towards the Scottish Government’s aim to remove the requirement for petrol and diesel cars by 2030 and help provide the charging environment to help us achieve our aim of net-zero emissions target of 2045.
It is recommended that a new standard and supporting guidance is introduced under the Building (Scotland) Regulations 2004 (as amended) and the Technical Handbooks for domestic and non-domestic buildings. These will be prepared for publication to this effect.
Declaration and Publication
I have read the Business and Regulatory Impact Assessment and I am satisfied that (a) it represents a fair and reasonable view of the expected costs, benefits and impact of the policy, and (b) that the benefits justify the costs I am satisfied that business impact has been assessed with the support of businesses in Scotland.
Original hardcopy signed by Jenny Gilruth MSP, Minister for Transport