Brussels charging points obligations
Belgian parking policy is undergoing a transformation with the goal of improving mobility in urban areas and promoting sustainable transportation. Directives coming into force at different times define the minimum requirements for parking facilities at new and existing offices, residences and for public use. In this article, we will repeat the details of these published guidelines to provide sufficient insight into the actions to be taken as a parking manager.
Specifically, we repeat the commitments from 2 publications:
– Decree (03/11/2022) of the Brussels Capital Region on charging points in parking lots. – EPBD III legislation (2021)
Decree Brussels Capital Region (03/11/2022)
Proportions of charging points in parking lots
At the office
Starting January 1, 2025, new offices will allocate at least 10% of their total floor space to parking spaces with charging capability, with a minimum of 2 parking spaces. This measure aims to reduce the demand for parking spaces and encourage other modes of transportation, such as biking or public transportation. By Jan. 1, 2030, this percentage will be increased to 20% and by Jan. 1, 2035, to 30%.
Housing
Starting January 1, 2025, a minimum of one parking space with charging solution must be available for each resident with an electric vehicle within a reasonable time after the need for a parking space is expressed. This measure recognizes the growing popularity of electric vehicles and encourages sustainable mobility within residential neighborhoods.
Public
From Jan. 1, 2025, cities must reserve at least 5% of their available parking space for spaces with charging solution, with a minimum of 2 parking spaces. By Jan. 1, 2030, this percentage will be increased to 10% and by Jan. 1, 2035, to 20%. Within this ratio, a 50kW fast charger is equivalent to 5 charging points. In other words, a capacity of 10kW per charging point/parking space is calculated. This measure contributes to improving accessibility and mobility for all residents and visitors to urban areas.
Environmental permit holders who operate parking lots shall annually report the number of installed charging stations to the distribution system operator.
Every three years, starting on January 1, 2025, Brussels Environment will report to the government on compliance with the provisions of this chapter. This report will include at least a complete status of the infrastructure of charging points installed in parking lots and an analysis of the opportunity to revise them according to the needs of electric vehicle users.
Safety Conditions
Because more and more electric cars are also parking in covered parking lots and the demand is increasing for charging infrastructure for these cases, additional guidelines have been published for this purpose.
Covered parking < 1250m2
– Fast charging points Mode 4 charging (> 50kW) prohibited, unless the environmental permit deviates after advice from the fire department – Emergency stop capable of simultaneously shutting off all charging points mandatory at each entrance to the parking lot – Ventilation system with air exchange every 3 hours mandatory. – Floor plan at each entrance and exit indicating the charging infrastructure present
Additional conditions for covered parking > 1250m2
– Fire detection system with smoke detection mandatory. This should be of the type “part monitoring” in accordance with standard NBN S21-100-1&2 or equivalent European standard.
– Automatic transmission of fire alarm and fault signal following provisions of part 5.3 of the standard NBN S21-100-1.
It is prohibited to install charging infrastructure in car elevator parking lots. This is because of the potential electrical failures that can occur with the presence of charging stations. In addition, a car elevator poses a risk to safely tow an electric car that is burning out of the parking lot. However, the environmental permit may deviate based on the advice of the fire department.
Brussels has been at the forefront in terms of charging station directives for years which makes it clear what is possible and what is not!
EPBD III legislation (as of March 11, 2021)
The Energy Performance of Building Directive (EPBD), or European directive on the energy performance of buildings, led to new legislation in Belgium. EPBD III, transposed into Belgian law, sets ambitious requirements for near-zero energy (BEN) buildings and emphasizes the importance of charging infrastructure for electric vehicles. In this article, we will recap the main aspects of EPBD III regarding charging points for parking buildings and homes.
Non-residential (new) – Being (public) parking lots, parking buildings, offices, etc.
Applications for environmental permits from March 11, 2021 are subject to specific requirements for non-residential parking lots and parking buildings with more than 10 parking spaces. For new buildings and major renovations, it is mandatory to:
– Install at least 2 charging points for high or normal power (no later than 01/01/2025) – Provide at least 1 in 4 parking lots with infrastructure for conduits, or at least gutters/waiting tubes for cables, to facilitate the installation of charging points.
These regulations apply to parking areas in or adjacent to the building, as well as renovations related to the parking area.
Non-residential (existing)
For existing non-residential parking buildings with more than 20 parking spaces: These must be equipped with at least two normal- or high-power electric vehicle charging stations by Jan. 1, 2025.
Residential (new) – residences and buildings with parking lot – For buildings with two or more parking spaces, the infrastructure (mintens cable ducts/guard tubes) that allows for the installation of charging stations in each parking space should be provided
Residential (existing)
– Major renovations of existing homes with more than 10 parking spaces must also include infrastructure to accommodate charging stations in each parking space.
Conclusion
By introducing these parking policy guidelines, the government aims to improve urban mobility and sustainable transportation. The guidelines prescribe minimum requirements for parking facilities at offices, residences and for public use. With the growing focus on alternative modes of transportation and sustainability, cities will need to significantly increase parking options with charging infrastructure in the coming years. These changes will have a positive impact on urban development and contribute to a more efficient and sustainable mobility situation in the future.
By Matthias Soetewey
Senior EV Expert
Fleet.services@stroohm.be