Smart Charging Requirements: Electric Vehicles (Smart Charge Points) Regulations 2021

Quick Answer: The Electric Vehicles (Smart Charge Points) Regulations 2021 (SI 2021/1467) require all EV chargepoints of 50kW or below sold in the UK from 30 June 2022 to have smart charging functionality: demand response capability, off-peak defaulting, random delay on restart, usage data reporting, and ETSI EN 303 645 cyber security. All OZEV grant-eligible chargepoints must comply. Installers must use compliant products and cannot install non-compliant units for domestic or grant-eligible installations.

Summary

The UK government introduced mandatory smart charging requirements for EV chargepoints in 2021, taking effect from 30 June 2022. The policy aims to prevent a surge in demand when millions of EV drivers plug in simultaneously after work (known as the "teatime peak"), which would require significant investment in grid reinforcement.

Smart chargepoints can receive signals from energy suppliers and grid operators to shift charging to off-peak times (overnight, when wind energy is surplus), giving consumers cheaper rates and helping balance the grid.

For tradespeople installing EV chargepoints, compliance is not optional. Only smart-capable, Regulations-compliant products can be installed for domestic use and OZEV grant claims. Installing a non-compliant product (e.g., an old-stock dumb chargepoint) would put the installer in breach of both the Regulations and the OZEV grant scheme requirements.

Key Facts

Quick Reference Table: Smart Charging Regulations Requirements

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Requirement Detail
Demand response Chargepoint must accept and implement charge adjustment signals
Default off-peak window Midnight–07:00 (user adjustable)
Random start delay 0–10 minutes random on reconnection/power restore
Energy metering Must record and transmit usage data (kWh, time)
Cyber security (ETSI EN 303 645) 13 provisions including no default passwords, encrypted comms
Smart meter compatibility Must be capable of smart meter half-hourly tariff response
Internet connectivity Required for demand management communication
User override Users must be able to override default schedule

Detailed Guidance

Why Smart Charging Matters: The Grid Context

The UK had approximately 1.1 million EVs on the road at the end of 2024 and this is projected to reach 10–15 million by 2030. If each of those vehicles charges on arrival home (17:00–19:00), the peak demand on the distribution network would increase significantly, requiring DNOs to upgrade cables, transformers, and substations at significant cost.

Smart charging is the policy solution: by shifting the majority of EV charging to overnight periods when demand is low and renewable generation (wind) is often highest, the same infrastructure can accommodate far more EVs at lower cost. Smart tariffs (e.g., Octopus Agile, Intelligent Octopus) offer EV drivers 10–20p/kWh overnight compared to 30–35p/kWh peak tariff — a strong financial incentive to charge smart.

The Off-Peak Default Requirement

Under the Regulations, all chargepoints must default to charging in a defined off-peak window. The current default window is midnight to 07:00. This means:

This default can be customised by the driver via the chargepoint app to any schedule they prefer. The key point is that the default is off-peak, not immediate.

Installer setting: Installers should leave the chargepoint in its default smart mode after installation. Avoid disabling smart features during commissioning — the Regulations require the default to be compliant.

Random Delay Requirement

The random delay requirement addresses a specific scenario: a power cut restores to hundreds of houses simultaneously. Without a random delay, all EVs that were charging before the cut would restart simultaneously, creating a sharp demand spike.

The Regulations require a random delay of 0–10 minutes before a chargepoint restarts charging after reconnection or power restoration. This spreads restarts across a 10-minute window.

Installers do not need to configure this — it is built into compliant chargepoint firmware. However, customers should be warned that their chargepoint may not restart immediately after a power cut; this is expected and compliant behaviour.

Cyber Security: ETSI EN 303 645

The cyber security requirements reflect growing concern about smart home devices as attack surfaces. ETSI EN 303 645 is a European standard for consumer IoT security, covering 13 provisions:

  1. No universal default passwords (each device must have a unique password or require user to set one)
  2. Implement means to manage reports of vulnerabilities
  3. Keep software updated
  4. Securely store sensitive security parameters
  5. Communicate securely (encryption, TLS)
  6. Minimise exposed attack surfaces
  7. Ensure software integrity
  8. Ensure personal data is secure
  9. Make systems resilient to outages
  10. Examine system telemetry data
  11. Make it easy for users to delete personal data
  12. Make installation and maintenance easy
  13. Validate input data

For the installer, this primarily means: only install chargepoints from reputable manufacturers on the OZEV approved list, and advise customers to keep the app and chargepoint firmware updated.

BSI PAS 1899:2022 — Interoperability

BSI PAS 1899:2022 (published 2022) specifies the open communication requirements for smart EV chargepoints. Its key provisions:

PAS 1899 is not mandatory law (unlike SI 2021/1467) but is referenced in the OZEV grant scheme requirements. In practice, all OZEV-approved chargepoints comply with PAS 1899.

Installation Implications

Product selection:

Commissioning:

Customer briefing: After installation, explain to the customer:

No Wi-Fi case: If the customer does not have Wi-Fi at the chargepoint location, the smart requirements cannot be met in operation. Some chargepoints offer 4G/LTE as an alternative. A wired ethernet connection is another option. A chargepoint without internet connectivity cannot fulfil the Regulations' smart charging requirements in ongoing operation — this should be discussed with the customer before installation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I install a non-smart chargepoint?

For domestic installations (and under the OZEV grant scheme), no — all chargepoints must comply with the 2021 Regulations. Old-stock non-compliant chargepoints cannot be legally placed on the market or installed in the UK since 30 June 2022. Installing a non-compliant product may also void manufacturer warranty and insurance.

What if the customer's internet goes down?

The chargepoint will continue to function for charging during a temporary internet outage. However, it will not receive demand management signals during the outage and may charge at any time (defaulting to its last programmed schedule or on plug-in). This is an acceptable temporary situation. If internet connectivity is permanently unavailable, the smart charging requirements cannot be met.

Does the random delay cause problems for emergency charging?

The random delay applies only on reconnection after power interruption. It does not apply when a driver manually plugs in their EV and selects immediate charging. The override feature allows any driver to bypass the off-peak default and start charging immediately if needed.

Are public rapid chargers (50kW+) subject to these Regulations?

No. The Regulations apply to chargepoints up to 50kW. DC rapid chargers above 50kW (the typical 100–350kW rapid chargers at motorway services) are not subject to SI 2021/1467. They are subject to separate interoperability requirements under the Public Charge Point Regulations.

Regulations & Standards