Electric vehicle (EV) charging points will be mandatory for new homes, supermarkets and workplaces in England from 2022.
The law is being introduced ahead of the Government’s ban on the sale of new diesel and petrol cars and vans in 2030 and hybrids by 2035.
It could result in up to 145,000 extra charge points being installed across England each year, according to the Government.
The new law will apply to any new flat or house with an associated parking space, as well as non-residential buildings, and buildings undergoing large-scale renovations with more than 10 parking spaces.
Regulations mean that the new charging points will be smart charges so vehicles are charged at off peak times to manage electricity supply.
Sarah Winward-Kotecha, Director of EVs at RAC, welcomed the new law but said: "It’s important to remember that a lot of new housing stock – especially in cities – doesn’t even come with any car parking at all, let alone provision for electric charge points."
The RAC wants to see much rapid charging hubs installed to give drivers without off-road parking "a realistic opportunity to go electric", Winward-Kotecha said.
She added: It’s also important that all charge points – particularly at motorway services – are always working.
"Unfortunately, we’re increasingly being called out to use our EV Boost technology by drivers who have reached public charge points only to discover they are out-of-order.”
The Government has also announced that it will introduce contactless payments at all new fast and rapid charge points to make it easier for drivers to pay to charge their cars when travelling.
