Electric Vehicles (Smart Charge Points) Regulations 2021
What this means for your business
- Enforced by
- OPSS
- Applies to
- United Kingdom
- On this page
- 11 compliance obligations, 1 practical guide
What you must do
11 compliance obligations under this legislation.
Equipment and safety 6
Configure charge points to work offline
If you provide or operate smart electric‑vehicle charge points, you must set them up so that they can still charge a vehicle even if they lose their communications network connection. In practice this means checking the equipment settings and confirming that the charger can operate without network access.
Configure EV charge points to accurately measure and report electricity use
If you own or operate a smart electric‑vehicle charge point, you must set it up so that it records the amount of electricity it imports or exports (in kWh) and the duration of that use, and you must be able to view this information for every session, each month and for the whole previous 12‑month period. The device must also record power every second (in watts/kW), send the data over a communications network, and be accurate within 10% with no systematic errors.
Configure EV charge points to block unsafe overrides
If your business owns or operates a smart electric‑vehicle charge point, you must set it up so that nobody – including the owner or any end‑user – can switch off safety‑critical features such as the default charging mode, demand‑side response or random delay. This prevents actions that could put people’s health or safety at risk.
Configure EV charge points with randomised delay controls
If you own or operate an electric‑vehicle smart charge point, you must set it up so it can add a random waiting time before charging starts – up to 30 minutes overall and up to 10 minutes for each charging session. You also need to be able to change the maximum delay remotely, cancel it when required, and make sure the delay is switched off if the point is overridden, already has a random delay applied, or is providing demand‑side response services.
Configure EV smart charge points for off‑peak charging
If you install or operate an electric‑vehicle smart charge point that is not covered by a demand‑side‑response (DSR) agreement, you must set it up to charge mainly outside peak times. The system must show the user the default off‑peak schedule, let them keep, change or remove it, and always allow the user to override the default or any DSR service.
Ensure charge points have required smart functionality
If you provide, install or own an electric vehicle charge point that falls under the Regulations, you must make sure it can communicate over a network, adjust charging speed or timing in response to signals, support demand‑side response services, and include a user interface for operation. In practice this means checking the technical specifications and documentation of the charge point before it is put into service.
Management duties 2
Ensure charge points keep smart functionality after supplier change
If you supply, install or configure electric‑vehicle charge points, you must set them up so the smart features keep working even if the owner switches their electricity supplier. In practice you cannot lock the smart functions to a particular supplier – the charge point must remain interoperable.
Ensure charge points sold meet required standards
If you sell or advertise electric‑vehicle charge points, you must only do so after confirming the unit meets the technical and sale requirements set out in the Regulations. This applies to any charge point sold on or after 30 December 2022, so you need to check compliance before each sale.
Record keeping 2
Keep a register of charge points you have sold
If your business sells a smart charge point for electric vehicles, you must maintain a record of each sale for the last ten years. This register should list the details of every relevant charge point you have sold and be kept up‑to‑date.
Provide compliance statement and keep technical file for charge points
When you sell a smart EV charge point you must give the buyer a signed statement that identifies the model, confirms it meets the regulations and shows your name and address. You also need to maintain a full technical file – design details, operating manual, compliance explanations in plain English, test reports and software version – that is up‑to‑date at the point of sale and you must hand over a copy if the buyer asks for it.
Reporting and filing 1
Supply information when served with an information or inspection notice
If the vehicle‑charging enforcement authority serves you with an information notice (or an inspection notice when they enter your premises), you must provide the requested records or details in writing to the address they give, by the deadline they set. Failing to do so can lead to a court order and costs, and may result in prosecution.
Practical guidance
Our guides explain how to comply with the requirements above.
Sections and provisions
17 classified provisions from this legislation.