UK Building Regulations Part S Regulation 44D: Residential EV Solar Guide

Key Takeaways

• Regulation 44D is part of S.I. 2021 No. 1392, specifically addressing EV charge points in new residential buildings.
• New residential buildings with associated parking must install EV charge points up to an average sum of £3600 for connection costs.
• If the £3600 cap prevents full installation, cable routes must be installed in all remaining parking spaces.
• The regulation applies to the erection of a new residential building with associated parking.

What is UK Building Regulations Part S Regulation 44D?

Regulation 44D, titled "Electric vehicle charge points: new residential buildings," is a key part of "The Building Regulations etc. (Amendment) (England) (No. 2) Regulations 2021" (S.I. 2021 No. 1392). This regulation mandates the installation of electric vehicle charge points in new residential buildings in England that include associated parking (August 2026). It falls under "PART S Infrastructure for the charging of electric vehicles."

The primary goal is to ensure that new homes are built with the necessary infrastructure to support the growing adoption of electric vehicles. This includes provisions for both direct charge point installation and the preparation for future installations through cable routes.

Key Provisions of Regulation 44D

| Cable Routes Installation Duty | "cable routes for electric vehicle charge points must be installed" | Figures as of August 2026.

How We Verified These Regulations

We verified the details of Regulation 44D by directly consulting the official UK government legislation website. Our review on 23 August 2026 focused on "The Building Regulations etc. (Amendment) (England) (No. 2) Regulations 2021," specifically Statutory Instrument 2021 No. 1392. All cited provisions, including the £3600 connection cost cap and the cable routes fallback requirement, are directly quoted from this primary source.

Understanding the £3600 Connection Cost Cap

Regulation 44D introduces a specific financial limit for the installation of EV charge points: "The number of electric vehicle charge points that must be installed is the maximum number of electric vehicle charge points that it is possible to install at an average sum of £3600 or less for the connection cost of each electric vehicle charge point connection ("the £3600 cap")." This means developers must assess the cost of connecting each charge point. If the average connection cost exceeds £3600, they are not required to install a charge point at that specific location.

This cap aims to balance the mandate for EV infrastructure with the practicalities of development costs. It acknowledges that some sites may have prohibitively high connection costs, providing a financial safeguard for builders.

The Cable Routes Fallback Requirement

A critical aspect of Regulation 44D is the "cable routes fallback requirement." If the "£3600 cap" prevents the complete fulfillment of the charge point installation requirements, then "cable routes for electric vehicle charge points must be installed in all remaining parking spaces."

This provision ensures that even if a full charge point installation is not immediately feasible due to cost, the necessary groundwork for future EV charging is laid. Installing cable routes significantly reduces the cost and disruption of adding charge points later, promoting long-term EV readiness for new residential developments.

Pairing Residential EV Charging with Solar PV

While Regulation 44D focuses on the provision of EV charge points, it does not explicitly detail how these should be powered. Integrating domestic rooftop solar PV with residential EV charging offers a sustainable solution. New residential buildings, which are subject to Regulation 44D, are also prime candidates for solar installations.

Consider how the mandated EV infrastructure can be paired with a solar PV system to reduce reliance on grid electricity for vehicle charging. This approach can lower running costs for homeowners and contribute to the building's overall energy efficiency. You can explore options for sizing a solar system to meet your home's needs, including EV charging, using our solar sizing tool.

For further guidance on related building regulations and solar integration, you may find these guides helpful:

• UK Building Regulations Part S Regulation 44G: Commercial EV Solar Guide
• UK Building Regulations Part L Regulation 26: Target CO2 Solar Guide
• UK Building Regulations Part P and Solar PV Electrical Safety Rules

Understanding these regulations helps ensure compliance and allows for strategic planning of sustainable energy solutions in new residential developments.