Electric vehicle charging stations for businesses: what are the requirements?

The Mobility Orientation Law (LOM) requires companies to equip or pre-equip their parking lots with charging stations for electric and hybrid vehicles.

Isabelle Nezan
Consultante HSE
Publication : 
03.06.2021
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Please note: This article concerns French legislation. The requirements described may not apply in other countries.

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To support the development of electric mobility, charging points for electric or hybrid vehicles must be installed in parking lots reserved for employees of commercial and industrial buildings.
Accordingly, the Mobility Orientation Law (LOM) of December 24, 2019, strengthens the requirements for pre-equipping and installing electric vehicle charging infrastructure for both new and existing buildings.

Parking lot pre-equipment and equipment: who is affected and what are the requirements?

New or majorly renovated buildings(1) including the renovation of the parking area or its electrical installation

Existing buildings

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(1) A major renovation is defined as a renovation where the cost represents one-quarter of the building's value, excluding the cost of the land.

(2) An SME is a company with fewer than 250 employees and an annual turnover not exceeding 50 million euros or a balance sheet total not exceeding 43 million euros.

(3) Applied since January 2012 to new commercial buildings with enclosed and covered parking for which the building permit application was filed after the 1stst January 2012.

For buildings with mixed-use, residential and non-residential: for between 11 and 20 spaces, the primary use of the parking area—residential or non-residential—determines the applicable regulations. Beyond 20 spaces, obligations apply pro rata based on the usage of the spaces.

What is pre-equipping?

Pre-equipping involves outfitting a portion of parking spaces with conduits for electrical cabling and the power and safety systems required for the future installation of charging points for electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles.

Furthermore, what technical specifications must be met?

For building permit applications or prior declarations filed on or after March 11, 2021, the following apply:

  • The Order of December 23, 2020, regarding the application of Article R. 111-14-2 of the Construction and Housing Code (specifications for pre-equipping based on the source of the electrical energy supplied, mandatory presence of a protective earthing conductor on each electrical circuit of the charging infrastructure, methods for determining the electrical power required to meet the needs of charging infrastructures for electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles (PIRVE power), etc.);
  • Decree No. 2020-1696 of December 23, 2020, which sets the minimum requirements for power supply and safety devices for electric and plug-in hybrid vehicle charging installations (pre-wiring, electrical installation sizing, etc.).

In conclusion...

Businesses must now adapt by pre-equipping and equipping their parking facilities with charging stations for electric vehicles.

Charging points must be installed by a professional holding an electrical certification and the IRVE qualification issued by the QUALIFELEC organization, attesting to their competence in installing charging infrastructure for electric vehicles.

Furthermore, this work must be covered by a prevention plan (identifying and preventing, through general coordination, the risks associated with interference between activities, installations, and equipment when external companies (EE) operate within a host company (EU)).

Finally, there are government financial incentives aimed at supporting the installation of electric vehicle charging infrastructure in businesses (e.g., the ADVENIR program, funding for private or publicly accessible charging points via Energy Savings Certificates (CEE)).

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Photo credit: Marek Studzinski