The growing popularity of electric cars and plug-in hybrids in Estonia has brought with it a new challenge: should modern, future-proof electric car charging infrastructure be installed in apartment buildings, and if so, how? This is an important investment both in the planning of new apartment buildings and in the renovation of older ones, in order to ensure that the apartment building and construction work comply with requirements in the future.

The installation of electric car charging infrastructure is regulated by the Building Code. Electric car charging infrastructure consists of cabling infrastructure and a charging point. Electric car cabling infrastructure is a cable protection pipe into which an electric cable can be placed for the installation of a charging point. The electric car charging point is the interface of the charging infrastructure that allows the electric vehicle to be charged.

New building or renovation work

When constructing a new apartment building with more than ten parking spaces, an electric car cabling infrastructure must be installed for each parking space, i.e. the possibility of installing a charging point must be created. In the case of apartment buildings where part of the building is non-residential (e.g. commercial premises on the lower floors), different charging infrastructure obligations may apply (for example the obligation to install a charging point in addition to the cabling), depending on the principal use of the building  recorded in the Register of Construction Works. Furthermore, when renovating older apartment buildings, it is also necessary to check, whether there is an obligation to install electric car charging infrastructure.

Specifically, charging infrastructure must also be installed in existing buildings undergoing major renovation if the renovation also involves the car park, the electrical system of the building or car park and the building has more than ten parking spaces. Major renovation is defined, in simple terms, as changes to boundary, load-bearing or stiffening structures or changes to technical systems, the cost of which exceeds a quarter of the average construction cost of an equivalent building. For example, this may include more extensive insulation and technical system renovation projects in older apartment buildings, which are increasingly common in the cityscape.

Communication with local authorities

In order to install charging infrastructure (unless the charging infrastructure is being installed as part of extensive construction or renovation work), it is generally necessary to submit a building notice to the municipality at least ten days before the start of construction. If the municipality does not notify you of the need for additional inspection within this period, you can start work. At least ten days before the start of use of the charging infrastructure, or in this case the charging point, a notice of use must be submitted to the municipality.

Installing electric car charging infrastructure in apartment buildings is a complex but essential investment for the future. If you have any questions, please contact the TRINITI team and we will help you navigate the legal maze.