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UPDATED 1 Sept: The EI library in London is temporarily closed to the public, as a precautionary measure in light of the ongoing COVID-19 situation. The Knowledge Service will still be answering email queries via email , or via live chats during working hours (09:15-17:00 GMT). Our e-library is always open for members here: eLibrary , for full-text access to over 200 e-books and millions of articles. Thank you for your patience.
UPDATED 1 Sept: The EI library in London is temporarily closed to the public, as a precautionary measure in light of the ongoing COVID-19 situation. The Knowledge Service will still be answering email queries via email , or via live chats during working hours (09:15-17:00 GMT). Our e-library is always open for members here: eLibrary , for full-text access to over 200 e-books and millions of articles. Thank you for your patience.
Charging EVs in the UK – public stations or at-home options?
We don’t often see the views of drivers of electric vehicles (EVs) on how well the vehicle charging infrastructure is working.
The results of a survey of over EV 1,000 drivers in England has changed this, highlighting widespread support for the rollout of contactless credit and debit card payments; being able to use one charge card or app across multiple charging network operators; and higher levels of reliability of charge points.
The survey also highlighted the importance of the public charging network even to those with off-street parking, with 92% of electric vehicle drivers relying on the public charging network at least once a month.
Electric Vehicle Association (EVA) England invited EV drivers to share their views about their experience with public charge points, in response to the government’s consultation on consumer experience. Based on the results of the survey, EVA England has made recommendations to government, including:
- Charge points should offer a choice between three standardised payment methods: a contactless credit or debit card; a universal charge (also known as an RFID) card; and a smartphone app.
- The government should mandate that charge point operators enable roaming and allow for drivers to use one app or RFID card on all networks.
- Government should mandate a minimum amount of data that must be made open to EV drivers to better equip them to plan their charges along the public charging network.
- All prices for electricity sold at EV charging sites should be stated in pence/kWh.
Gill Nowell, a Director at EVA England, said: ‘We recognise that the pace of charge point deployment is increasing and that the infrastructure going in the ground today is greatly improved from that which was being installed even five years ago. However, we encourage government to intervene now in order to ensure that all charging infrastructure is reliable, safe and user-friendly, across all driver groups.’
Meanwhile, a new report, The Future of Electric Vehicle Smart Charging published by Energy UK, assesses the options for enabling EV owners to benefit, particularly from smart charging at home that minimises costs for EV drivers. Smart charging could mean vehicles topping up their batteries automatically at times of lower demand – reducing the costs for drivers and saving otherwise large system costs by spreading the overall demand for electricity – says the report.
While smart charging is mostly carried out by Chargepoint Operators (CPOs), the government has indicated its preference for using the smart meter network in future. However the Energy UK report relays a clear opposition to mandating the use of the smart meter network – while recognising that smart metering infrastructure will act as a ‘building block’ for many smart energy offerings.
Emma Pinchbeck, Chief Executive of Energy UK, said: ‘It’s clear from our research that there are a range of smart-charging-at-home options that are secure, that unlock innovation and that deliver for customers. Industries in the EV market need government to… clearly lay out its smart charging system requirements so we can build and deliver it.’
