EV charging regulations in the UK (2025)

The UK is tightening its rules on how EV charging stations are installed, managed and accessed. From payment options to open data and smart charging requirements, the changes are reshaping the way Charge Point Operators (CPOs) run public and private infrastructure.

vaylens helps CPOs, fleet operators and site owners make better choices when it comes to managing infrastructure and electric vehicles (EVs), as well as setting themselves up to deal with current and future regulations. Before considering any solution provider, however, it’s best to know what you’re dealing with as a UK charging provider. You’ll find the main regulations outlined below.

The Public Charge Point Regulation (2023)

The Public Charge Point Regulations have been in force since November 2023 and apply to the entire United Kingdom. The legislation focuses on improving the consumer experience by making it easier to find working charge points and understand precisely how much you’re expected to pay before starting a session.

The regulations apply to all public EV charging stations and are designed to standardise access, payments and service levels across networks. For businesses providing EV charging, that means major changes to how charging infrastructure is managed on a daily basis.

The key policy areas in the Regulations are pricing transparency, contactless payments, 99% reliability, support helplines, open data and roaming support; each area has a different lead time from the initial November 2023 introduction, though pricing transparency was enforced immediately.

Transparent pricing

Charge Point Operators must display the cost to charge in pence per kWh and should be visible to drivers before a session begins (while staying fixed during the session). Prices can be shown on a screen, a printed label or a physical sign. 

This is already a basic expectation for most drivers. So, if you manage multiple charging locations or are planning to scale your network, it’s best to invest in EV charging management software that offers real-time pricing integrations to keep pricing displays consistent.

Enforcement from: 24 November 2023

Penalty: Up to £10,000 per charge point

Contactless payments

All new public charge points above 8 kW and all existing rapid charge points above 50 kW must accept contactless payment by debit or credit card; mobile wallet payments like Apple Pay and Google Pay also count. The point is that CPOs aren’t allowed to continue relying on app-only access models that fly in the face of providing a truly beneficial service.

Enforcement from: 24 November 2024

Penalty: Up to £10,000 per charge point

Payment roaming

Public charging stationd must be accessible through at least one third-party roaming provider, meaning EV drivers can start a session without needing to download a specific app or create a new account.

Enforcement from: 24 November 2025

Penalty: Up to £10,000 per charge point

99% uptime for rapid chargers

CPOs with rapid chargers (above 50 kW) must maintain an average of 99% uptime across their network. Downtime is measured via OCPI status updates sent at intervals of no more than 30 seconds.

Data collection begins: 24 November 2024

First full compliance year: Calendar year 2025

Public reporting required: From January 2026

Penalty: Up to £10,000 per network

24/7 helpline

Each public charge point must display a free-to-call support number that’s available around the clock, connecting drivers to someone who can assist them with charging issues.

Enforcement from: 24 November 2024

Penalty: Up to £10,000 per charge point

Open data and OCPI sharing

Charge point status and availability must be shared in real time with third-party apps and platforms using OCPI or an equivalent open protocol. Data should be updated at least every 30 seconds to make sure drivers aren’t given a surprise when arriving at a charging location.

This is about creating a reliable driver experience across all apps and platforms, something that CPOs should be asking about when looking for an EV management solution.

Enforcement from: 24 November 2024

Penalty: Up to £10,000 per charge point

For CPOs, these policies make it clear that compliance now depends on the systems you run. Managing payments, uptime and data at scale requires EV charging software that can create the best possible charging experience, resulting in more loyal customers and greater advocacy for electric mobility.

“The 2023 regulations raise the bar for public Charge Point Operators, though that’s only part of the picture. vaylens is also built to help fleet depots, workplaces and landlords offer sustainable charging that complies with other key UK regulations.”

- Russell Olive, Business Development Director UK, vaylens

Smart Charge Points Regulations (2021)

These regulations apply to private EV charge points sold in the UK, as well as to many workplace and commercial installations. Since 30 June 2022, all private EV charge points sold or installed in the UK must include smart functions by default.

The aim is to reduce grid strain by encouraging smarter charging behaviour. This includes scheduling charge sessions outside peak hours, introducing random delays (of up to 10 minutes) at the beginning of sessions to prevent demand spikes and allowing external signals to adjust charging patterns in real time. Private CPOs overseeing must also ensure that EV drivers can access basic consumption data and override default settings if necessary.

Although public charge points are exempt, it’s clear that grid-friendly charging is a priority within the UK’s EV strategy, with workplace, fleet and depot operators expected to play their part.

Building regulations (2010) for EV charging

In England specifically, new building regulations now require developers to include EV charging infrastructure in many construction and renovation projects. Known as Part S of the Building Regulations, these rules have been in effect since June 2022 and apply to new buildings with on-site parking, as well as major renovations of residential, non-residential and mixed-use properties.

For example, developers of new homes must install one charge point per dwelling or make sure that every parking space is pre-wired with cable routes. New commercial buildings with more than 10 parking spaces must include at least one active charger and cable routes for 20% of the remaining bays. The same standards apply to major renovations where parking capacity is significantly altered.

Importantly, it does not apply to dedicated CPOs that operate public charging networks at street level, nor does it concern small-scale refurbishments or buildings without associated parking facilities.

In short, new buildings and those going under major renovation should be made “EV-ready” to support the transition to electric mobility.

Choose the right EV software for your hardware investment

For CPOs of all sizes in the UK, keeping charging infrastructure compliant, reliable and financially viable is a growing challenge. Manual processes, meaningless data and outdated systems make it harder to meet new requirements and even more challenging to expand networks efficiently.

With some policies for the UK’s Public Charge Point Regulation now coming into effect in 2025, CPOs need to choose the EV charging management software that can support their hardware investments. From instant uptime monitoring and OCPI integration to contactless payments and smart load management, vaylens gives you the tools to stay compliant and the confidence to sustainably monetise your charging operation, no matter your core business.

Talk to our UK team to see how vaylens can help your business make the most of the transition to electric mobility.