There will soon be regulations on electric vehicle charging stations in apartments

The above information was stated by Deputy Minister of Construction Nguyen Van Sinh at a conference to consult on amending the National Technical Regulations on apartment buildings, which added regulations on charging stations and battery exchange stations for electric vehicles.

Accordingly, the drafting agency will review and update technical requirements on parking spaces for new vehicles, electric vehicle charging areas in apartments, regulations on construction and installation of stations and charging poles in car garages as well as requirements on fire prevention and escape. Additional regulations on charging stations and battery exchange stations are referenced by the drafting agency from regulations, standards and regulations of many advanced countries as well as current regulations.

At the conference, delegates supported the proposal to add regulations on charging stations and battery exchange stations in apartments to the National Technical Regulations. This proposal is made in the context of strong urbanization and green energy transition. The rapid increase in electric vehicles places new demands on regulators for a clear technical framework to ensure the safety of charging station areas.

Some delegates proposed strict technical criteria for charging station infrastructure in apartment complexes. Criteria include fire and explosion prevention solutions, ventilation and smoke exhaust, requirements for isolation compartments, as well as requirements for scale, electrical system protection and overload protection.

At the same time, the use and maintenance of charging equipment and batteries requires detailed instructions to prevent incidents and ensure safety for users, equipment and buildings.

Deputy Minister Nguyen Van Sinh reiterated that the early development and promulgation of regulations on electric vehicle charging stations in apartments is very necessary. Previously, the Government had issued a document assigning the Ministry of Construction to preside over amending and promulgating regulations on apartment buildings to resolve this issue.

He assigned the Department of Housing and Real Estate Market Management to coordinate with the Institute of Construction Science and Technology and the Hanoi Department of Construction to survey and evaluate each type of project. Because different types of urban housing, townhouses, and apartments, especially projects built before 2020, have different characteristics, there must be an appropriate approach.

The Deputy Minister noted to clarify three groups of requirements including parking area, charging area (charging station) and battery exchange area (battery exchange station). Standards must separate cars and motorbikes, “not specifying hard numbers” without a summary assessment, avoiding risks when reality changes rapidly.

With existing projects, according to Mr. Sinh, the Board of Management should decide on the ratio and scale of the tram area according to actual use. In addition, the plan to arrange a separate area for electric vehicles also needs to be researched, such as separating the electrical system, walkways, and fire prevention solutions to ensure safety, limit the spread of fire and protect residents.

The Deputy Minister encourages the arrangement of electric vehicle parking areas, charging stations, and battery exchange stations separate from the building, located on campus or in an adjacent location to increase people’s options, instead of just using the basement space. The drafting agency was assigned to research and supplement requirements for used battery collection equipment at charging or battery exchange points to support management.

The Department of Housing and Real Estate Market Management and the Institute of Construction Science and Technology are assigned to complete the draft in the first quarter of 2026.

In fact, the Housing Law 2023 (effective from August 1, 2024) stipulates that parking areas in apartment buildings include both gasoline and electric vehicles. The design of the charging station must comply with technical standards. The Fire Prevention and Fighting Law also does not prohibit leaving or charging electric vehicles in apartments. However, due to the lack of specific instructions, many buildings have their own regulations on parking and charging locations for electric vehicles.

At HH Linh Dam apartment building (Hoang Liet ward, Hanoi) – where there are about 30,000 residents – at the end of November, the management board issued a notice to stop accepting electric motorbikes and electric bicycles. The reason given is that the basement lacks space and does not have fire-fighting equipment suitable for this type of vehicle. Residents are asked to take their vehicles to outside parking lots from now until February 1, 2026.

Similarly in Ho Chi Minh City, many apartment buildings apply different methods: some places prohibit parking electric vehicles in the basement, some places only allow electric motorbikes but do not accept electric cars, some places arrange temporary parking on the ground floor instead of a closed basement.