Do You Need a Flood Risk Assessment for an EV Charging Development?

EV charging infrastructure is expanding quickly across England and Wales and many new installations are being placed in areas that already face flood pressures. National analysis shows that around one in ten public EV charge points in the UK are located in places with some level of flood risk, which makes early flood‑risk planning essential for developers and operators.

Growth is particularly strong in coastal and river‑adjacent cities such as Bristol, Hull and Leeds, where fluvial and tidal flooding is already well recognised. Wales is seeing similar momentum. The Welsh Government’s strategy aims for more than four thousand public chargers by 2030, with rural counties such as Powys, Ceredigion and Gwynedd now experiencing increased installation activity. Limited drainage networks in these areas mean surface‑water flooding remains a key design consideration.

At Ashfield Solutions, we are supporting an increasing number of EV projects in locations where flood-risk triggers apply. Early assessment is becoming vital for keeping planning applications on track, supporting Distribution Network Operator (DNO) /grid connection requirements and ensuring long-term operational resilience.

In this blog, we explain when an EV charging development requires a Flood Risk Assessment, the planning rules involved and how flood-resilient design can be built into your project from the outset.

When a Flood Risk Assessment is Required

EV charging developments are assessed in the same way as other forms of built infrastructure. A Flood Risk Assessment is generally required when a site is located in:

• Flood Zone 2 or Flood Zone 3 These zones represent medium and high flood risk from rivers or the sea, when not accounting for flood defences 
• Flood Zone 3b Known as the functional floodplain, where development is subject to more restrictive planning controls.
• Flood Zone 1 where the site is at least one hectare Even low-risk areas require assessment when the site is large.
• Areas with surface-water flood risk Including locations where mapping, local evidence, the Strategic Flood Risk Assessment or the Lead Local Flood Authority identifies a potential risk.
• Areas with known drainage constraints Including Critical Drainage Areas or locations where local drainage networks are already under pressure.

In Wales, the equivalent assessment is normally referred to as a Flood Consequences Assessment and is prepared in accordance with TAN15.

Why a Flood Risk Assessment is Needed

A Flood Risk Assessment demonstrates that an EV charging development can be delivered safely, without increasing flood risk elsewhere and with appropriate resilience built into the design.

This is particularly important for EV schemes because they often include sensitive electrical infrastructure, such as chargers, feeder pillars, substations, switchgear, transformers, battery storage units, ducts and cable routes. Flooding can affect electrical safety, maintenance access, equipment isolation, long-term reliability and DNO/grid connection requirements.

An FRA helps identify likely flood levels, flow routes, surface-water constraints and drainage issues at an early stage. This allows the design team to consider practical mitigation such as raised equipment levels, raised plinths, careful siting of infrastructure, resilient materials and appropriate drainage measures.

Why EV Charging Sites Often Fall Within Flood‑Risk Areas

Many charging points are installed on footways, roadside verges and car parks. These locations frequently overlap with surface‑water flood‑risk zones, particularly in dense urban areas where drainage networks are already under strain. Coastal and riverside towns in parts of England also contain large areas of Flood Zone 2 and Flood Zone 3, increasing the likelihood that new charging sites will require assessment.

The Government’s EV Infrastructure Strategy highlights the need for climate-ready and resilient charging networks, including infrastructure capable of withstanding extreme weather and climate-change impacts. Planning authorities are also expected to support EV infrastructure delivery while ensuring that development remains safe, resilient and compliant with flood-risk planning policy. 

What a Flood Risk Assessment Must Demonstrate

A compliant Flood Risk Assessment for an EV charging development typically includes:

• Flood-zone classification – Identification of the site’s flood zone and potential flood depths.
• Historic flood events – Review of past flooding to understand local patterns.
• Surface-water and drainage analysis – Assessment of drainage capacity, surface-water behaviour and existing overland flow routes.
• Impact of the development – Evaluation of whether the project changes flood risk on or off site, including changes to runoff, flood storage or flood flow routes.
• Mitigation measures – Measures such as raised plinths, safe equipment heights, resilient design, safe access and appropriate drainage measures.
• DNO and electrical infrastructure considerations – Assessment of how flood risk could affect substations, feeder pillars, switchgear, transformers, cable routes and other critical electrical infrastructure.
• Policy compliance – Demonstration that the proposal meets applicable national and local planning policy and addresses the requirements of the Local Planning Authority, Lead Local Flood Authority, Environment Agency, Natural Resources Wales and, where relevant, the Distribution Network Operator (DNO). 

Case Study: Designing Flood‑Resilient EV Charging Infrastructure 

In a recent example, our team at Ashfield Solutions supported an EV charging provider planning a rapid charging hub with several chargers and a new substation. The site was located in a high‑risk flood zone where water could reach close to one metre during extreme conditions. The project required a detailed Flood Risk Assessment to satisfy planning requirements and electrical network standards.

Ashfield Solutions analysed official flood data, ground levels and utility information to understand how water could behave across the site. The team assessed every potential source of flooding and calculated likely water depths around each piece of electrical equipment. Using national electrical guidance, we recommended practical resilience measures such as minimum safe equipment heights and automatic shut‑off systems. The flood strategy was updated throughout the design process to keep the project on schedule and ensure compliance.

Read our full EV charging Flood Risk Assessment case study to learn more about our approach and the solutions we recommended.  

Need a Flood Risk Assessment for an EV Charging Development?

Ashfield Solutions provides fast, practical and proportionate flood risk, drainage and environmental reporting for EV charging projects across the UK. Our team understands the importance of clear advice that supports planning, grid connection and project delivery. Whether you are assessing a single commercial charging point or a wider rollout programme, we can help identify flood risk, drainage, contamination and environmental issues early, reducing the chance of avoidable delays.

If you need support with an EV infrastructure project, contact Ashfield Solutions today to discuss your requirements and request a free quote.