This article was written by Iris Kampers, Head of ESG and Sustainability, and Yiota Vasilakos, ESG Consultant, at Savills Netherlands.

Climate change requires a significant reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. As both the built environment and mobility contribute to these emissions, requirements for buildings and electric transport are becoming increasingly stringent. The revised European Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD IV) brings these two challenges together.

This development is a logical one. However, market practice shows that regulation alone does not guarantee effective decarbonisation. Practical feasibility remains a critical factor in determining whether sustainability ambitions can be successfully realised.

Real estate as a catalyst for sustainable mobility

EPBD IV forms part of the European Green Deal and supports the ambition of achieving a climate-neutral built environment by 2050. The directive is not solely focused on improving the energy performance of buildings; it is also intended to accelerate the broader energy transition. Facilitating electric mobility is a key component of this ambition.

For owners of offices, retail properties, logistics facilities and other commercial real estate, this means adapting to more stringent requirements for charging infrastructure and future expansion capabilities. By 2027, non-residential buildings in the EU with more than twenty parking spaces will be required to provide a minimum number of charging points or sufficient cabling infrastructure to accommodate future installations. New developments and major renovations face even stricter requirements, including the mandatory implementation of smart charging solutions.

As a result, the focus is shifting from installing a limited number of charging stations to creating future-proof energy and charging infrastructure within buildings and parking facilities.

A requirement with practical implications

A recent real estate transaction illustrates what these requirements may mean in practice. The deal involved the sale of a 30,000 sq m logistics facility with 216 parking spaces. From 1 January 2027, under the revised regulations, the property would be required to provide at least one charging point per ten parking spaces or pre-cabling for at least 50% of the parking capacity. The estimated investment required was approximately €100,000.

While this example relates to logistics real estate, owners and occupiers of offices, shopping centres, business parks and other commercial properties may face similar investments in charging infrastructure, electrical installations and related upgrades.

Grid capacity is a particularly important consideration. Even when charging infrastructure can be installed, its effective use may be constrained by limited available capacity on the electricity network. Consequently, a measure that appears relatively straightforward on paper can result in substantial costs, technical challenges and strategic considerations for owners, occupiers, buyers and sellers alike.

From compliance to measurable climate impact

In light of the Paris Agreement and global efforts to reduce CO₂ emissions and limit global warming, encouraging transport solutions that are less dependent on fossil fuels is a logical objective. Research by TNO and findings from the Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency indicate that, under comparable usage conditions, a transition to fully electric vehicles can reduce CO₂ emissions by between 60% and 90%.

However, questions remain as to whether the current regulatory approach represents the most effective pathway towards achieving this objective.

EPBD IV encompasses a broad range of measures designed to improve the energy performance of buildings. These include energy performance certification, renewable energy requirements for new developments and provisions for electric vehicle charging infrastructure. In the first phase of the Dutch implementation, however, the emphasis is largely placed on measures that increase electricity demand.

Elements that could simultaneously support additional energy generation, such as mandatory rooftop solar PV installations, are not yet included in this implementation phase. This raises the question of whether the various measures are sufficiently aligned to reinforce one another and maximise their overall impact.

Effective decarbonisation requires an integrated approach

The underlying objective of EPBD IV is clear: both buildings and mobility must become more sustainable in order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. However, maintaining support for sustainability initiatives requires more than regulatory compliance alone. Investments should not only be mandatory but should also demonstrate a clear and measurable contribution to climate objectives.

When the environmental benefits are visible and quantifiable, property owners and occupiers are more likely to remain motivated to pursue further sustainability improvements.

The challenge therefore lies in ensuring that different measures work together effectively. Charging infrastructure, renewable energy generation and grid capacity must be considered as part of a coherent strategy. Only when these elements reinforce one another can they genuinely contribute to a future-proof built environment and deliver the intended climate benefits.