By Emil Petersen, Sales & Marketing Officer at Innoventum. Updated October 2026.
Short answer: As of January 1, 2025, existing commercial buildings with more than 20 parking spaces must have at least one charging station. Starting January 1, 2027, the requirement for garages will be stricter: commercial buildings with more than 20 parking spaces inside the building must have at least one charging station per ten spaces, or wiring infrastructure for at least half of the spaces. For new commercial buildings and major renovations, stricter requirements have been in effect since July 1, 2026. These requirements stem from the EU’s Construction Products Regulation and are outlined in the Swedish National Board of Housing, Building, and Planning’s regulations on sustainable mobility.
What charging requirements apply, and when?
| Who is affected? | From | Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Existing commercial buildings with more than 20 parking spaces, either inside the building or on the property | January 1, 2025 | At least one charging station |
| Existing commercial buildings with more than 20 parking spaces inside the building | January 1, 2027 | At least one charging station per ten spaces, or wiring infrastructure for at least half of the spaces |
| New commercial buildings and major renovations with more than five parking spaces | July 1, 2026 | At least one charging station per five parking spaces, with pre-installed cabling for at least half of the spaces and wiring infrastructure for the rest. Office buildings: at least one charging station per two parking spaces |
| Buildings owned or used by public agencies | January 1, 2033 | Pre-installed cabling to at least half of the locations inside the building |
Existing charging points and cables may be included. Utility infrastructure refers to conduits for future cables, such as empty conduits or cable ladders.
Do the requirements also apply to outdoor parking?
Partially. The 2025 requirement for at least one charging station applies to parking spaces both inside the building and on the property. The stricter requirement from 2027 applies only to spaces inside the building—that is, garages. An outdoor parking lot with 40 spaces therefore still needs at least one charging station, but not one per ten spaces.
What are the technical requirements for charging stations?
- Smart charging, which can be controlled based on the available power in the building
- Open protocols that do not lock the property owner into a single provider
- Type 2 connector for AC and Combo 2 for DC
- Installation by a Registered Electrical Contracting Company
Which buildings are not affected?
The requirements apply to commercial buildings, such as offices, stores, shopping centers, warehouses, hotels, and sports facilities. Buildings in which more than half of the floor area consists of residential units are generally not subject to the retroactive requirements. Separate requirements regarding preparation for charging apply to new residential buildings.
What is the EU's stance on solar panels in parking lots?
The EU's 2024 Buildings Directive also sets requirements for solar energy, where it is technically appropriate and economically and functionally feasible:
| Building | Solar Energy: The Latest |
|---|---|
| New public buildings and new commercial buildings larger than 250 m² | December 31, 2026 |
| Existing commercial buildings larger than 500 m² undergoing major renovations | December 31, 2027 |
| New residential buildings | December 31, 2029 |
| New covered parking spaces adjacent to buildings | December 31, 2029 |
The requirements must be incorporated into Swedish law. Check with Boverket to see how they are implemented for your specific type of building.
How can you meet the charging requirement and generate solar power at the same time?
A solar carport in the parking lot solves three problems at once: the charging stations get a roof and a natural location, the cables can be routed through the frame, and the roof generates electricity for charging. With Innoventum’s glulam solar carport, this amounts to approximately 3 kWp and 3,100 kWh per parking space per year in southern Sweden. The carport is mounted on ground screws, so it can be installed directly on existing asphalt without having to dig up the parking lot.
It is particularly well-suited for outdoor parking lots, where requirements are less stringent but many property owners still want to offer charging options to employees, customers, or tenants. Learn more about solar carports for businesses.
Who ensures compliance with the requirements?
These requirements are set forth in the planning and building regulations, and the municipal building board is responsible for enforcement. Contact the municipality if you are unsure how these requirements apply to your property.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does my parking space have to have charging stations?
If you own a commercial building with more than 20 parking spaces in the building or on the property, at least one charging station must be installed by January 1, 2025.
What will happen on January 1, 2027?
Commercial buildings with more than 20 parking spaces inside the building must have at least one charging station for every ten spaces, or wiring infrastructure for at least half of the spaces.
Does the 2027 requirement apply to outdoor parking lots?
No, the stricter requirement applies only to locations inside the building. The requirement for at least one charging station still applies outdoors as well.
Do these requirements apply to housing cooperatives?
The retroactive requirements generally do not apply to buildings in which more than half of the floor area consists of residential units. New residential buildings are subject to their own requirements regarding preparation for charging.
Where are the rules?
In the National Board of Housing, Building, and Planning’s regulations and general guidelines on sustainable mobility (BFS 2026:4) and in the Board’s PBL Knowledge Bank. The requirements are based on the EU Construction Products Regulation 2024/1275.
Are you planning to charge your vehicle in a parking lot? Solar Carport for Businesses | Request a Quote
Sources: Boverket, retroactive requirements for commercial buildings; Svensk Byggtidning: New charging requirements for garages in commercial buildings take effect on January 1, 2027; European Commission: Sustainable Mobility and Buildings.
