With the rise of electric vehicles (EVs), installing charging infrastructure in public car parks is becoming a necessity.
That is why, in France, obligations for companies, local authorities and industrial or service-sector buildings (shops, cinemas, public services, etc.) have been introduced. They stem from the Mobility Orientation Law (LOM) of 24 December 2019 and its amendment of 21 March 2021.
Obligations for charging stations in public car parks
The LOM law's requirements cover pre-equipping or equipping car parks with charging solutions, in company car parks or public parking areas. Pre-equipping means planning the electrical connections and spaces for a future installation. The legal framework varies depending on the situation.
New buildings
Buildings are considered new if their building permit was submitted after 11 March 2021.
The law states that public parking areas with more than 10 spaces in new buildings must have:
- At least 1 in 5 spaces pre-equipped.
- At least 2% of pre-equipped spaces accessible to people with reduced mobility.
The rules change for car parks open to the public with more than 200 spaces, as:
- At least 2 spaces must have a charging station.
- At least 1 of these spaces must be accessible to people with reduced mobility.
Buildings renovated after 11 March 2021 are subject to the same obligations. A building is considered renovated when the cost of the works amounts to at least a quarter of the building's value.
Existing buildings
For existing buildings, i.e. those whose building permit predates 11 March 2021, the rules differ for small car parks.
Car parks with more than 20 spaces must therefore have:
- At least 1 in 20 spaces equipped with a charging point.
- At least 1 space suitable for people with reduced mobility.
Large car parks with more than 200 spaces are subject to the same rules as new buildings, with 2 equipped spaces, one of which meets the needs of people with reduced mobility.
Compliance had to be achieved by 1 January 2025, except in exceptional cases set out in the law. More flexible standards apply where the works on the electrical network or fire safety would be too extensive.
Financial support for installing charging stations
With the LOM law, the French State has shown its determination to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by promoting electric mobility, among other things. As a result, in addition to the legal obligations, subsidies have been introduced by the government and local authorities.
The Advenir programme
Run by the French Ministry for the Ecological Transition, the Advenir programme helps automotive service professionals install charging stations. It offers a bonus of up to 50% of the total cost of the works, i.e. €7,500.
An online simulator (in French) lets you check your eligibility and the amount of your bonus.
Local authority support
Some cities and regions have set up support schemes to help individuals and professionals with their energy transition.
For example, the Grand Est region offers financial support of €8,000 per charging station installed, covering 55% of the total cost of the works.
This bonus is listed on the French government's regional support website, which lists all regional subsidies for installing EV charging stations.
Focus on installing solar carports
While the LOM law focuses on rolling out charging stations, another law concerns installing solar panels, again in public car parks. This is the law on accelerating renewable energy production (ENR), enacted on 10 March 2023.
It requires companies and local authorities that own a car park of more than 1,500 m² to install solar carports over at least 50% of its surface area.
Compliance is required from 1 July 2026 for parking areas of 10,000 m² or more, and from 1 July 2028 for the others. Otherwise, a fine ranging from €20,000 for the smallest car parks to €40,000 for the largest may be imposed.
Installing these solar panels complements the installation of charging points, as it supplies the car park, and therefore its charging stations, with electricity.
In short, from 2025, all car parks for public use must be at least pre-equipped to accommodate an EV charging station. National and regional support is available to comply with the LOM law. Contributing to the energy transition pursued by the government in recent years, this obligation comes on top of other regulations, such as the one on installing solar carports.
