Bureau Veritas claims the imminent changes will be critical to ensuring the faster roll-out of the UK’s charging network for cleaner vehicles.
Earlier this month, the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) announced it will publish a stand-alone update to Section 722 of the 18th Edition on electric vehicle charging installations in early 2020, as part of a new amendment to BS 7671:2018. The amendment, which will be implemented immediately and free to view on the IET website, follows advances in technology. It is expected to make installing charging points quicker and easier, and cheaper for both installers and consumers.
Welcoming the amendment as a ‘positive step forward’ for the industry, Michael Kenyon, Technical Manager at electrical safety expert Bureau Veritas, believes the update will be vital in helping the UK create one of the largest electric vehicle charging networks in Europe – as latest figures show sales of electric cars rose to their highest level last month1.
Michael comments: “As part of its Road to Zero strategy, the government has ambitious targets in place for half of all new cars sold to be ‘ultra-low emission’ by 2030 – and to realistically achieve this requires a world-class charging infrastructure for electric vehicles, which needs to be deployed quickly and cost-effectively. Despite being a fledgling industry, the technology in this area has come on leaps and bounds in just a few short years and it’s great to see the IET getting ahead of the curve by ensuring the wiring regulations adequately reflect this.”
According to Bureau Veritas, the amendment is unlikely to feature any wide sweeping reforms, but instead focus on changes in line with EU regulations as well as evolving practice on the PME supply issues and residual current devices (RCDs).
“It will also look to keep up to speed with European regulations, taking into account harmonised standards in the CENELEC Harmonised Document (HD), as well as providing further changes to the earthing requirements for EV charging points. It may also provide additional guidance on how RCDs are used in EV chargers.
The Draft for Public Comment for Amendment 1 is available now, while in February 2020 the IET will publish the 4th Edition of the Code of Practice for Electric Vehicle Charging Equipment Installation.
Bureau Veritas offers a range of testing and certification services to support customers in managing compliance around electrical safety for new and existing installations or for specific areas, such as electric vehicle charging points.
For further information, call 0345 600 1828 or visit www.bureauveritas.co.uk
