IRVE

IRVE (EV charging infrastructure): what the project manager needs to know about this infrastructure to avoid missing mandatory reservations — and having to reopen trenches after the car park is finished

"EV charging points — whether reserved for or installed, fill the access chambers with concrete and cut the ducts to 10 cm, cap everything off." This execution detail in the CR hides a regulatory obligation: under France's LOM mobility law, many new and renovated car parks must be pre-wired for electric vehicles. Failing to manage IRVE during the works phase means reopening trenches later at a much higher cost.

1. Operational definition + common mistake

IRVE (Infrastructure de Recharge pour Véhicules Électriques, "EV charging infrastructure") refers to all installations enabling electric-vehicle charging: charge points, cabling, electrical protections, metering, and management systems. In buildings and car parks, IRVE also includes the reservations (conduits, ducts, access chambers) that allow charge points to be installed later without major works.

The pre-wiring obligation comes from France's Mobility Orientation Law (LOM, 2019) for new car parks and major renovations of public-access buildings and commercial buildings above certain thresholds. In this CR, the IRVE is "reserved for or installed": the ducts and access chambers are in place, but the charge points themselves aren't yet installed.

Many assume an IRVE "reservation" needs no attention during the works — in reality, correctly executing the reservations during the earthworks/site-utilities phase determines the entire future installation. Missing or undersized reservations can block charge-point installation and force costly rework.

2. Where it appears

In a site meeting report — in the site-utilities (VRD) or Electrical section, during earthworks, site-utilities, or car-park finishing phases. In this CR:

"EV CHARGING POINTS — whether reserved for or installed, fill the access chambers with concrete and cut the ducts to 10 cm, cap everything off."

3. How to read this entry in the CR

If you read "IRVE reserved" → check that the ducts have actually been laid in the planned locations, at the required dimensions, and that the access chambers are accessible.

If you read "IRVE installed" → check that the upstream electrical capacity (main low-voltage switchboard, distribution board) is sufficient.

If IRVE isn't mentioned in the CR for a new car park → check whether the project is subject to the LOM obligation.

4. Who does what

5. What this changes in practice

A project manager who tracks IRVE from the works phase can ensure regulatory compliance and prevent costly rework. A project manager who leaves IRVE "for later" without checking the reservations risks having to dig up a completed car park.

Failure scenario: the IRVE access chambers aren't built during the works. Installing the charge points later requires opening trenches in the finished new car park, at a cost of €12,000.

6. Example of real wording

"EV CHARGING POINTS — whether reserved for or installed, fill the access chambers with concrete and cut the ducts to 10 cm, cap everything off."

7. Points of caution

• An IRVE "reservation" needs just as much care as an installed IRVE.

• Electrical capacity for IRVE must be anticipated from the design stage.

• A charging-management system (control software) must be planned from the design stage for multi-point IRVE installations.

• IRVE must be accessible to people with reduced mobility (at least one charge point per zone).

• IRVE regulations evolve: check the applicable thresholds at the time of the project.

8. Not to be confused with

9. Related terms

Same phase (site utilities/electrical): Duct · Access chamber · Main switchboard (TGBT) · Site-utilities trade · Solar carport (ombrière PV)

Same actor (MOE/structural-services engineer): LOM law · Accessibility for people with reduced mobility · Site-utilities schedule