Builders slam plans for electric car chargers in all new homes

Grant Prior 3 years ago
Share

The National Federation of Builders has slammed government plans to require all new homes to have electric vehicle (EV) chargers as another “stealth tax” on construction.

The federation fears the construction industry will foot the bill for chargers while electricity companies benefit.

It said that to achieve planning permission builders are required to fund substations so that electricity companies can provide enough load to new and old developments.

Costs are considerable – upward of £50,000 for a handful of homes – and neither the builder or homeowner profits from this infrastructure because the electricity companies receive revenue in perpetuity from someone else’s investment.

Richard Beresford, chief executive of the NFB said: “We support the green industry and a green transition because it is a necessary part of change but due to how infrastructure investment works in practice, once again, the Government is seeking to grow its political capital and advance big business, at the expense of the construction industry and taxpayer.”

Rico Wojtulewicz, head of housing at the House Builders Association (HBA), the housebuilding arm of the NFB, said: “This Government has only been in power for two years and has already introduced four new and stealth taxes on the construction industry. EV charging will be the fifth.

“It’s a disgusting way to treat a sector who worked throughout the Covid-19 lockdown to help pay for furlough and the impact of Covid-19.

“The Government needs to think very carefully about how it achieves a green revolution. It must require electricity companies to shoulder this cost, as they will be profiting from these investments in perpetuity.

“Or perhaps it is time to bring services into public ownership because the Government is not proving able to regulate the sector in a way that doesn’t cost the taxpayer.

“As we told the Prime Minister during COP26 in relation to retrofitting and onshore renewable energy, it is time the Conservatives began risking some of their own political capital and not simply expecting taxpayers and business to risk their financial capital. The Governments green legacy is looking like taxation and flawed policy, not revolutionary change.”

Latest news

Coroner hears how worker was crushed under digger

Inquest opens into tragedy at Rose Builders site
10 hours ago

40 M&E firms win spots on £400m CHIC framework

Axis Europe, City Energy Network, Seddon Construction, Oakray
7 hours ago

Willmott Dixon lands Dover town centre revamp

Alliance agreed to regenerate several key council sites
15 hours ago

Go-ahead for London City office-to-flats scheme

Hub's 150 Minories job in Aldgate to create 280 co-living homes
17 hours ago

Wates mobilises as £200m Middlesbrough scheme approved

Gresham Street scheme includes a hotel, 240 flats and over 400 student rooms
18 hours ago

Crashed M&E contractor TNA owed supply chain £7m

Sister company buys assets including company vans
23 hours ago

Renaker eyes bumper 2025 despite Gateway 2 concern

Strong construction pipeline to support another record year
23 hours ago

Wessex Water picks civils firms for £65m framework

Over 40 smaller firms will support AMP8 civils spending programme
23 hours ago

Green light for nearly 400 flats at Leeds scheme

Three blocks up to 18 storeys approved at Armley Road
23 hours ago

Subcontractors wanted across South London

Work up for grabs from main contractors and clients: Register now for Constructionline event
23 hours ago

Heavy lorry ban on Severn Bridge as cables deteriorate

Crossing "not designed and built for today’s levels or weight of traffic"
23 hours ago

Muse submits Oldham town centre regeneration plan

Plan advances for six sites to deliver 2000 homes, an hotel and office space
4 days ago

Construction returns to growth after two tough months

Concern grows Trump turmoil is spooking property investors
4 days ago

Skanska wins £43m Clifton Bridge deal

Contractors says scheme is a "complex project that will be delivered to tight timescales"
4 days ago

Green light for 44-storey Manchester resi tower

Developer Glenbrook to start hunt for main contractor
5 days ago

Ten win £670m Network Rail eastern region small works deal

CK Rail, QTS, Colt and Construction Marine pick up two lots
5 days ago

Mears aims to dominate in compliance and housing upkeep

Firm hails 100% rebid success on a slew of major contract renewals
5 days ago

Investigation after two track workers hit by wagon

Accident in Glasgow during engineering possession
4 days ago

Durkan finance chief joins house builder Thakeham

Paul Kimber confirmed as new Chief Financial Officer
4 days ago

Water win sees Mott MacDonald Bentley hunt for new staff

Recruitment event for the South of England: Register now
5 days ago

Labour master VAT fraudsters target subcontractors

Tax authorities looking to clamp down on payroll fraud
5 days ago

Domis to start this year on £350m Nobu towers

Developer Salboy gains planning for Viadux second phase in Manchester
4 days ago

Phoenix ME rides out ISG collapse with record 74% turnover surge

Pre-tax profit up after Phoenix re-engaged on all former ISG jobs
5 days ago

£200m Viking onshore pipeline project approved

55km underground pipeline to be built from Immingham to Theddlethorpe
5 days ago

Plans in for Bristol Brabazon over-station office block

YTL Construction UK to build 8-storey office block
5 days ago

Mace confirmed for £200m London City office retrofit

Four upper floors to be added to 65 Gresham Street
5 days ago

Lindum profit jumps 28% as turnover nears £200m

507 staff shareholders share in strong year as pre-tax profit hits £10.4m
6 days ago

Universal to build theme park in Bedford

Work to start next year creating 20,000 construction jobs
6 days ago

Go-ahead for £400m Cambridge sewage treatment works

Major greenbelt project pivotal to 8,000-home North East Cambridge scheme
6 days ago

Erith pays down bid-rigging fine over two years early

Total employee ownership bonuses top £5.3m for nearly 450 staff
6 days ago

Contractor services