Introduction to electric charging points
Electric charging points for electric vehicles and electric cycles need to be planned and designed as part of the overall streetscape.
Charging points for electric vehicles and electric cycles can be provided on-street or in some cases within buildings. If fitted within buildings, their location and design need to be carefully considered.
The Fire and Rescue Service and Building Control should be informed, so that the necessary fire suppression measures for the charging and storage of lithium-ion electric cycles in buildings have been considered and specified.
On streets, electric charging points need to be suitably located, sited and designed to avoid street clutter.
Electric charging points should not form an obstacle on a footway or cycleway. Ideally, these charging points should not affect the width of a footway. If this is not preventable, then the absolute minimum width should be 1 metre, with a maximum length of the restricted space of 6 metres. The charging points should be contrasted in tone and colour to make them clearly visible. Their placement should be consistent in the streetscape.
Electric cycles charging points may also be provided at cycle hubs or mobility hubs where e-cycle tourism is popular or where a shared e-cycle scheme is in place.
E-cycles play an important role to enable more people to cycle. Design consideration, however, needs to be given to charging and storing e-cycles within buildings.
