Pre-cabling

More than empty pipes

Pre-cabling is the step between ducting and a working recharging point. The definition covers all measures needed to enable the installation of recharging points, and names four: data transmission, cables, cable routes and, where necessary, electricity meters. A parking space with pre-cabling should need only the charger itself.

Ducting is a lighter requirement. Article 14 describes it as conduits for electric cables, and the Directive uses the two terms side by side: new non-residential buildings with more than five spaces, and those undergoing major renovation, need pre-cabling for at least 50 % of the spaces and ducting for the rest (Article 14(1)). Article 14(1) also requires the pre-cabling and ducting to be dimensioned for the simultaneous and efficient use of the required number of recharging points, and to support a load or recharging management system where appropriate. For new residential buildings with more than three spaces, the pre-cabling must allow recharging on all spaces at the same time (Article 14(4)).

Buildings owned or occupied by public bodies get a separate duty: pre-cabling for at least 50 % of their car parking spaces by 1 January 2033 (Article 14(2)).

The Dutch Bbl uses voorbekabeling. Staatsblad 2026, 103 applies the 50 % pre-cabling rule to new and majorly renovated non-residential buildings from 29 May 2026, with conduits for the remaining spaces, and the 2033 rule for public-body buildings from 1 January 2033.