New regulations to make RAPID EV CHARGING 99% reliable

Rapid electric vehicle charging networks will be required to have a 99% reliability rate as part of a new set of regulations.

The new rules, outlined in the Public Charge Point Regulations 2023, aim to improve the charging experience for EV owners.

According to the new regulations, for a new public charge point with a power of 8 kilowatts or above, a charge point operator must, within one year from the date on which these regulations come into force, ensure that a person using that charge point is able to pay by contactless payment to charge an electric vehicle.

The regulations, which have only been published in draft form, will also require rapid charge point networks to have a reliability rate of 99%. A rapid charge point is considered to be reliable for the purposes of calculating compliance with the reliability requirement where it is either working, available, charging or reserved.

Charge point operators (CPOs) will also be required to be transparent about their pricing, have roaming deals with third parties within two years and ensure that all chargers have 24/7 helplines.