More and more Poles are choosing to switch to electric cars. At the same time, residents of apartment buildings and multi-family buildings still encounter significant difficulties installing charging points in their neighborhoods. This is due not only to technical issues, but primarily to applicable regulations and the indolence of property management boards. However, this situation is expected to change soon thanks to the amendment to the Act on Electromobility and Alternative Fuels, which the Ministry of Climate and Environment is currently preparing.
Until now, installing private chargers in multi-family buildings was virtually impossible. Although the regulations formally required the community or cooperative management board to commission a technical expertise confirming the feasibility of installing a charging point, in practice the procedure was effectively blocked. Property managers often failed to fulfill their obligations, refusing consent for installation or ignoring residents' requests. This resulted in months of delays, and sometimes completely preventing the project from being implemented. This, in turn, limited the development of electromobility among people living in apartment buildings—where there are quite a few potential users of electric cars.
New regulations—the key to faster and more convenient access to charging
The draft amendment to the act aims to streamline and significantly simplify the procedure for installing EV chargers in housing estates, among other things, by clarifying the deadlines and responsibilities of the property manager. According to the draft, after a resident submits an application for permission to install a charger, the housing estate authorities have just 14 days to commission a technical assessment and are obligated to immediately inform the applicant of this and the results of the assessment.
If the manager fails to fulfill this obligation on time or unjustifiably refuses consent, the applicant will be able to commission the assessment themselves and, if it confirms the technical feasibility of installation, proceed with the charger installation, even without the management's consent. This is a milestone that aims to prevent prolonged lockdowns and significantly accelerate the entire process.
Sustainable Development and Electromobility
New regulations facilitating the installation of chargers in residential areas increase the convenience of using electric cars by eliminating one of the most important barriers – the lack of convenient and quick access to charging. Residents will no longer have to search for public stations or park far from home, encouraging them to choose this eco-friendly form of transport.
The development of charging infrastructure will certainly contribute to the popularization of electromobility in Poland and support the transformation of the transport sector to a more environmentally friendly one. This is also a boost for companies in the electromobility technology and services sector, which could have a positive impact on the economy and the labor market, emphasizes the Polish New Mobility Association (PSNM), which actively comments on and supports the changes. It emphasizes that the proposed regulations are in line with the European trend of promoting electromobility.
Support for electromobility
The draft law was created as part of the government's "SprawdzaMY" deregulation initiative and will be publicly consulted before its final adoption, taking into account comments from, among others, PSNM. The organization calls for, among other things, clarification of the deadlines for informing residents and strengthening the enforcement mechanisms for the procedure, so that the installation of chargers is not only easier but also transparent.
Thanks to these changes, Poles living in apartment buildings will be able to more easily enjoy the convenience of charging electric cars right outside their homes. This is not only a step towards modern, eco-friendly mobility, but also real support for residents who are increasingly choosing zero-emission vehicles.
FAQ:
- Can a private electric car charger be installed in front of an apartment building?
Yes – thanks to the amendment to the Electromobility Act, the procedure will be significantly simplified. Residents will be able to install a charger even if the property manager delays a decision or unreasonably refuses consent.
- How long does the property manager have to complete a technical assessment?
According to the draft law – 14 days from the time the resident submits the application.
- What should I do if the property manager fails to complete the assessment on time?
The applicant will be able to commission the assessment themselves. If the approval confirms the possibility of installation, installation of the charger will be possible even without the property manager's consent.
- Why was installing chargers in apartment buildings so difficult before?
The reasons were unclear regulations, a lack of deadlines for property managers, and frequent ignoring of residents' requests. This led to months-long delays or complete blocking of investments.
- How will the new regulations impact the development of electromobility in Poland?
Making it easier to install chargers in apartment buildings will increase charging accessibility, encouraging more people to choose electric cars. This will accelerate the development of eco-friendly transport and EV infrastructure.
- Do the new regulations support apartment dwellers?
Yes — the changes are intended to ensure transparency of procedures, shorter deadlines, and the real possibility of installing a charger right outside your home.
- Who supports the proposed changes to the law?
The Polish Association of New Mobility (PSNM), which emphasizes that the regulations are in line with the European trend of electromobility development.
