Directing the EV charging drive

When government representatives from around the globe gathered in late October 2021 in a united effort to halt global carbon emissions at COP26, it was obvious to world leaders that the heavy reliance of the automotive industry on fossil fuels would be a roadblock to achieving their targets, and that bold measures would need to be taken, writes Karen Langford, EV Category Lead at Vestel.

Of the 39.2 million registered motor vehicles in the UK, less than 3% are either EVs or plug-in hybrids The British government pledged that all cars must be ‘zero emissions capable’ by 2035, and while this is a laudable aim, electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure is currently in its infancy. Neither robust nor widespread enough to support such a pledge, it is, in turn, discouraging EV uptake amongst the 35.6 million UK residents who currently drive. So where are we currently on the road to zero emissions?

The current landscape

Of the 39.2 million registered motor vehicles in the UK, less than 3% are either EVs or plug-in hybrids. Equally worrying is the diminutive figure of available public chargers. According to a conservative prediction by the transport research group New AutoMotive, around 230,000-270,000 public charging points would be required by 2035 to service British EV motorists. Currently, there are 24,000 public charging points in the UK, around just 10% of the number needed. Clearly, there is work to be done.

As the UK government strives to make an easily accessible and convenient EV infrastructure network a reality, it also has a responsibility to the consumer. The benefits of owning an electric vehicle in the environmental sense are obvious but appear far off: less reliance on fossil fuel technology, lower carbon footprint per household, cleaner air, improvements in health from reductions in asthma, COPD, and other respiratory conditions alongside the reductions that are hoped for in global temperature rises. Yet there are some common perceptions and real issues with electric vehicles that are also holding back more widespread adoption.

The obstacles

Not only do they fall short when it comes to driver convenience, in terms of the widespread availability of convenient and rapid charging points, consumers are also having to pay the price for environmentalism, with substantially increased upfront acquisition costs, range anxiety on longer journeys, and the cost and inconvenience of establishing home charging points, which is not always possible if nearby or off-road parking is not available. Though the British government has put schemes in place to soften the blow.

We have already seen the government incentivise consumers to make the switch, with initiatives like the ‘Electric Vehicle Homecharge Scheme’ which provides a 75% contribution to the cost of up to two charge points and their installation to qualifying homes. This is as well as a regulation requiring all private new builds to provide EV chargers. However, despite this positive step, there still remain obstacles in home charging.

Substantial long-term investment will be required in electricity generation and supply infrastructure to prevent grid rationing for the consumer. Indeed, unless the grid capacity doubles by 2035, we would witness a scenario in which the consumer might be penalised for charging during on-peak times and also be required to ration the energy use of household appliances, just to get on the road each morning. Such restrictions would nullify the convenience of home charging.

Network development for public charging points are also currently fragmented and subject to commercial competition. While the availability of grant funding for councils installing on-street chargers is speeding up implementation, a new model of commercial cooperation, rather than a gold rush, will be required to meet the widespread demand.

Overcoming the obstacles

While commercial competition will initially be useful in driving early adoption, it will be essential to take learnings from the telecom rollout of 3G, 4G, and 5G masts. A model of network sharing, and the convergence of standards, aligned with strategic planning, upskilling and compliance for increased accessibility to on-road and destination EV chargers, would eventually lead to a universally useful and convenient EV charging network.

Universality will be vital. While 5G can limit latency, smart meters will need to be as advertised, working in tandem with secure and standardised app software that’s truly compatible across all nationwide stations. This will enable consumers to manage their tax via their electricity bill simply and conveniently. Charging connectors will need to be one size fits all, just like current petrol pumps.

Consumer uptake will need to increase significantly, but the switch needs to be incentivised and consumer confidence addressed. Concerns regarding universality of connection, vehicle range, and price point will need to be addressed. Advancements in battery technology and automotive manufacturing processes will help to facilitate supercharging and reduce the EV price point respectively.

Meanwhile, the government could and should create a tax environment that strongly favours EVs over fossil fuels, for both manufacturers and consumers. Supplying the latter with incentives for recycling their petrol vehicles, alongside reintroducing solar panel grants for homeowners, could simultaneously reduce the consumer’s EV running costs and alleviate the burden on our nations’ electric grid.

As outlined, the road to Britain becoming ‘zero emissions capable’ by 2035, is paved with obstacles. Some need to be navigated with strategic planning and co-operation amongst corporations and councils. While others need to be overcome, both through technological innovation and standardisation from the automotive industry, and through instilling confidence in the consumer that EVs genuinely offer a convenient and bright future.