Himachal Pradesh Mandates EV Charging Stations in Buildings Under New Planning Rules

The Himachal Pradesh government has introduced new urban planning regulations requiring the installation of Electric Vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure in a wide range of buildings. 

Town and Country Planning Minister Rajesh Dharmani recently announced the decision, stating that EV charging facilities will now be mandatory in commercial, public, semi-public buildings and real estate developments across the state.

Amendment to Building Regulations

The requirement has been incorporated under the Himachal Pradesh Town and Country Planning (17th Amendment) Rules, 2026. According to the minister, the amendment aligns the state’s planning regulations with the Model Building Bye-Laws, ensuring that urban infrastructure evolves in line with the growing demand for electric vehicles.

Dharmani noted that the legislative update reflects the government’s commitment to building sustainable infrastructure and accelerating the state’s progress toward becoming a green energy state.

Incentives for Energy-Efficient Buildings

Alongside EV charging infrastructure, the state has also strengthened the implementation of the Himachal Pradesh Energy Conservation Building Code (HPECBC) Rules, 2018 to promote energy-efficient construction practices.

Under these provisions, specialised buildings such as hotels, hospitals, educational institutions and shopping complexes with a built-up area of 750 square metres or more will be eligible for an additional 0.25 Floor Area Ratio (FAR) above the base FAR limit of 1.75, provided they comply with ECBC energy efficiency standards.

To ensure adherence to these norms, developers will be required to appoint Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE)-authorised energy auditors. These auditors will review building designs and monitor construction to confirm compliance before occupancy certificates are issued by municipal authorities.

New Premium FAR Fee Structure

The government has also introduced revised regulations through the 18th Amendment Rules, 2026, which establish a new fee framework for premium FAR in real estate developments.

Under the updated structure, developers opting for additional FAR will pay ₹3,000 per square metre for up to 0.25 premium FAR, while projects seeking more than 0.50 FAR will be charged ₹7,000 per square metre.

Applicability to New and Ongoing Projects

Officials clarified that the new premium FAR charges will not apply to already completed projects. However, the rules will be applicable to new blocks in ongoing developments as well as all upcoming real estate projects.

The updated framework also allows developers to purchase additional FAR during the early planning stages of their projects, enabling more flexible project design while supporting sustainable urban growth.

According to the state government, the combination of EV charging mandates, energy-efficient building standards and revised planning rules is intended to modernise Himachal Pradesh’s urban infrastructure. These measures are expected to encourage cleaner transportation, improve building efficiency and align future development with the state’s long-term sustainability goals.