The Polish Ministry of Climate and Environment has unveiled a draft amendment to the Electromobility Act aimed at significantly simplifying the process of installing electric vehicle (EV) charging points in multi-family residential buildings. One of the key changes proposed allows residents to independently commission the necessary technical assessment if building administrators fail to act.
This legislative initiative is the result of ongoing involvement by the Polish Alternative Fuels Association (PSNM) in the government’s deregulation program “SprawdzaMY,” through which amendments to the bill were submitted.
The new regulations will give apartment residents a real opportunity to access the most affordable and convenient EV charging option—home charging. It will also bring legal certainty and clearly defined deadlines.
Current Barriers to EV Charging in Apartment Buildings
At present, the installation of EV charging stations in Poland’s multi-family buildings is fraught with challenges. Property administrators often fail to comply with existing legal obligations or misinterpret them. The current procedure stipulates that once a resident who owns a unit and parking space submits a request, the housing cooperative or building administration must commission a technical assessment to evaluate the feasibility of installing a charger.
Unfortunately, there is no mechanism in place to enforce this procedure, and many building administrations either fail to initiate the assessment or reject the request, even when no technical reason justifies the refusal. As a result, installations are often delayed for months or even blocked entirely. This legal ambiguity creates a major barrier for residents wishing to transition to electric vehicles, slowing the development of the e-mobility market in Poland.
Empowering Residents and Removing Bottlenecks
To address these issues, PSNM advocated for reforms under the “SprawdzaMY” initiative. The Ministry has now proposed amendments to the Electromobility and Alternative Fuels Act that incorporate many of these suggestions.
Under the draft bill, if a building administrator fails to commission the technical assessment within 14 days, the resident will be allowed to arrange it independently. If the assessment confirms the technical feasibility of installation and there are no legal grounds for denial, the resident can proceed with the installation either after the deadline expires or if the administrator unjustifiably withholds consent.
These changes are expected to significantly facilitate private EV charger installations in apartment buildings and encourage wider adoption of electric vehicles in Poland.
Clarifying Procedures and Strengthening Enforcement
As part of the public consultation, PSNM submitted proposals to further clarify the draft law and close any remaining legal loopholes.
“We appreciate the direction taken by the Ministry. It’s a much-needed and potentially transformative change,” said Jan Wiśniewski, Director of Analysis at PSNM. “However, there is still room for improvement. We suggest specifying that the administrator must notify the applicant of the commissioning of the assessment without delay, but no later than within three working days. The current term ‘without delay’ leaves too much room for subjective interpretation.”
Wiśniewski also emphasized the importance of enforcement mechanisms. “The current structure doesn’t prevent administrators from obstructing assessments—for instance, by denying access to the premises. We propose a clear obligation to allow access and cooperate with experts performing the assessment,” he added.
The Economics of Home Charging
According to EV Klub Polska’s EV1000 survey—conducted among nearly 1,000 Polish EV users—around 50% of all charging sessions take place at home. This method is not only the most convenient but also the cheapest, and has a significant influence on consumers’ decisions to choose EVs over internal combustion vehicles.
Economic benefits are the main driver behind this preference. Although electric vehicles still tend to be more expensive upfront, even after subsidies, the total cost of ownership is lower. For example, charging a compact EV at night (at a rate of about PLN 0.62/kWh) to drive 100 km costs approximately PLN 11. In contrast, a gasoline car using 5 liters per 100 km at PLN 6 per liter would cost around PLN 30 for the same distance. This means that with the average annual mileage in Poland at 18,000 km, an EV owner charging primarily at home could save at least PLN 3,500 per year in fuel costs alone.
Aligning with European E-Mobility Goals
The proposed legislation aligns with broader EU efforts to promote electromobility. Unblocking inefficient procedures for charging point installation in apartment buildings will support greater EV adoption among private individuals.
According to PSNM, the growing demand for home chargers will also open up new business opportunities for companies specializing in charger installation, maintenance services, energy audits, and consulting.
Source: CEO.com.pl
