Electric Vehicles

CHARGING NETWORK

Which? calls for overhaul of electric vehicle charging

The consumer group’s annual car survey highlights low usage of the public charging network.

Consumer champion Which? is calling for a major upgrade to the UK’s electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure after its research found that only 13% of charging happens via the public network.

Which’s annual car survey highlights low usage of the public network, with only 15% of EV charging and 5% of hybrid charging currently happening at public charge points.

In a new report, ‘Building an electric vehicle charging infrastructure that is fit for the future’, Which? makes the case for major developments in the public charging infrastructure.

The consumer champion is calling for a significant increase in the number of charging stations both on-street and at service stations – particularly in areas where they are scarce – as well as requiring charge points that are currently restricted to specific brands to be available to all EVs.

Action is also needed to simplify a system that currently has around 60 different charging networks, many of which need a specific app or Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) card. Which? believes that drivers using charge points should be able to pay with their bank card where possible or use a single app/RFID card that is accepted by all networks.

Which? also believes the public charging network should be able to charge at a comparable rate to charging at home.

Sue Davies, Which? Head of Consumer Protection Policy, said: “Improving the UK’s flawed charging infrastructure will support more motorists to make the switch to a zero-emission vehicle. The current confusing and complex system needs to be quickly overhauled if the network is going to be ready for the ban on new fossil fuel cars in 2030.”

OFFICE FOR ZERO EMISSION VEHICLES

Grant applications process may be hindering EV rollout

Survey finds more than half of respondents claimed that the complexity of applying for and reclaiming government grants was posing a challenge.

Office for Zero Emission Vehicles (OZEV) grant applications are the biggest hurdle electric vehicle charge point installers are facing and may be hindering the EV rollout, new research reveals.

A survey of EV installers in the UK, carried out by charge point management platform Fuuse, found over half of respondents claimed that the complexity of applying for and reclaiming the government grants were posing a challenge for them.

It found that 40% of EV installers said the process for the Homecharge scheme – which is due to scale back next month – was difficult to navigate, with over 10% calling for the OZEV schemes to be scrapped altogether. Requesting too much information, manual paperwork, and lengthy payment delays were cited as the main pain points with the current application process.

Discussing calls to scrap the OZEV grants, founder of the UK EV Installers community James Harding, said: “If there’s a consensus [in the EV installer community] it’s a concern that installation standards may fall. The OZEV grant process is a barrier to entry and their exacting standards, whilst burdensome, keep the cowboys away, because rejected grants can cost the installer £350 each time.”

The Fuuse report also found there is a need for better and clearer education in the market, with 46% of installers citing client knowledge and understanding as posing another challenge.

Rising costs are also potentially holding back installations, as the report explores how increased equipment prices and salaries are leading to higher costs for installers – and the potential effect on decisions to transition.

Michael Gibson, Chief Executive of Fuuse, said: “We’re actively championing installers to help address some of these barriers, supplying them with documents for their customers, features to help them grow their business and support to help them thrive.”