EVolution magazine

EV#1_March 2022.qxp_PR358_p19-30 09/03/2022 19:14 Page 1

www.EVolutionMagazine.co.uk

March 2022

Ford boosts BlueOval UK automotive sector calls for charging regulator

Charging hubs are landing at airports

Energy Superhub Oxford project is taking shape

Which? sets out case for consumer focussed charging

05

08

09

10

Transport

Energy

Decarbonisation

Infrastructure

Parking

EV#1_March 2022.qxp_PR358_p19-30 09/03/2022 19:14 Page 2

Uniting what’s next in traffic.

We are connecting the dots of a new mobility revolution that is transforming our towns and cities.

operators to make their road networks and fleets intelligent, enhance road safety and improve air quality.

With the broadest end-to-end portfolio of intelligent traffic management solutions, we work with cities, highway authorities and mobility

It’s time to make the world a better place. We are ready. Are you?

www.yunextraffic.com/uk

EV#1_March 2022.qxp_PR358_p19-30 09/03/2022 19:14 Page 3

www.EVolutionMagazine.co.uk

VLAD TCHOMPALOV/UNSPLASH

WELCOME

March 2022

Ford boosts BlueOval UK automotive sector calls for charging regulator

Charging hubs are landing at airports

Energy Superhub Oxford project is taking shape

Which? sets out case for consumer focussed charging

05

08

09

10

Transport

Energy

Decarbonisation

Infrastructure

Parking

@EVolutionAlerts EVolutionMagazine.co.uk Editorial Managing editor: Mark Moran Tel: 020 7091 7871 mark.moran@landor.co.uk Production and design production@landor.co.uk Advertising, sponsorship, marketing and exhibition packages Jason Conboy Tel: 020 7091 7895 jason@landor.co.uk Subscriptions Christina Pierre Tel: 020 7091 7959 subs@landor.co.uk Accounts Irina Cocks Tel: 020 7091 7854 irina.cocks@landor.co.uk Business manager Rod Fletcher Tel: 0191 280 1410 Printed by: Pensord Tram Road, Pontllanfraith, Blackwood NP12 2YA Published by: Landor LINKS Ltd, Apollo House, 359 Kennington Lane, London SE11 5QY © Landor LINKS Ltd 2022

www.landor.co.uk Registered members of:

The Independent Press Standards Organisation www.ipso.co.uk

The Professional Publishers Association www.ppa.co.uk

Cover image: EQUANS’ Dee Humphries and Ford’s Chris Nicklin

EVolution | March 2022

Our world is evolving.

Let’s explore…

Welcome to EVolution, a magazine that will bring you news, analysis and comment on the development of zero-emission vehicle infrastructure and work to decarbonise transport.

Infrastructure is so often relegated to being the ‘Cinderella’ of the world of electric and hydrogen vehicles. There is, however, a rapidly growing community of dedicated professionals and organisations who are determined to deliver the systems and services that will facilitate a smooth transition away from fossil fuel powered vehicles (of which there currently over 30 million in the UK alone).

A complete ecosystem is fast developing to support zero-emission transport. However, it can be difficult to build a clear picture and detailed understanding of the various movers, shakers, policy-makers, advisors and users who shape and populate this new sector.

If you are looking to plan a journey to zero-emission travel, I think you will like EVolution, which has been developed by leading transport and policy specialist, Landor LINKS, publisher of Parking Review and Local Transport Today magazines.

We are reporting on the world of zero-emission vehicle via the website: EVolutionMagazine.co.uk We are now delighted to present EVolution in a magazine format and a range of social media channels.

EVolution will also bring you regular live and digital events, each crafted around the need of the EV and hydrogen vehicle infrastructure community.

I hope that you will share your journey with us.

Mark Moran Editor

A complete ecosystem is developing to support zero-emission transport

3

EV#1_March 2022.qxp_PR358_p19-30 09/03/2022 19:14 Page 4

EV#1_March 2022.qxp_PR358_p19-30 09/03/2022 19:14 Page 5

NEWS

Automotive sector calls for charging regulator SMMT sets out case for chargepoint mandate governed by independent regulator to level up network for consumers The UK automotive industry has published a seven-point plan to ensure every driver in Britain can benefit from an electric vehicle charging network that is affordable, available and accessible to all. The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) said the plan is designed to drive collaboration between government, industry and all other stakeholders, and calls for mandated targets for infrastructure roll out, backed by an independent regulator to keep consumers at the heart of planning.

The plan calls for binding targets for chargepoint roll out as a condition of the zero-emissions vehicle mandate to energise public confidence, backed by measures to de-risk investment and support local authorities. It envisages a new regulator, ‘Ofcharge’, governing targets and ensuring every part of the country has accessible, available and affordable charging to deliver zeroemission motoring.

Since 2011, central government, local authorities and the charging infrastructure sector have delivered a 3,000% increase in the number of standard public chargepoints. The UK’s provision of one rapid charger per 32 battery electric vehicles is the best in the Western world, behind only China (1:11), South Korea (1:12) and Japan (1:17).

More than one in six new cars sold in the UK during 2021 were EVs. However, the SMMT is worried that as demand for electric vehicles has surged standard public charging infrastructure has struggled to keep pace.

Sales of plug-in cars on the road grew by 280.3% between 2019 and 2021, but standard chargepoints increased by just 69.8% in the same period. Meanwhile, battery electric cars in the parc rose by a 586.8%, whereas rapid/ultra-rapid charger stock grew by only 82.3%. The SMMT says this situation is undermining consumer confidence to make the switch, with ‘range anxiety’ now replaced by ‘charging anxiety’. The organisation says that although most current plug-in car users charge at home, public chargers remain critical to consumer confidence and are still relied upon by many commercial fleets, as well as the third of British households that do not have

EVolution | March 2022

The SMMT’s plan

designated off-street parking.

Furthermore, drivers face a growing regional divide in chargepoint availability.

At the end of 2020, the ratio of electric cars to standard public chargers was 1:37 in the north of England, compared with 1:26 in the south – and in 2021, the ratio deteriorated significantly in the north to 1:52, compared with 1:30 in the south.

The automotive sector argues that to give all drivers the confidence they will be able to charge as easily as they refuel, wherever they live or work, a nationally coordinated and locally delivered infrastructure plan that puts the needs of consumers first, while also giving chargepoint operators and local authorities certainty to install the right number of the right chargers in the right places ahead of need, across every part of the UK. The industry is also calling for the creation of a new regulatory body – the ‘Office of Charging’ or ‘Ofcharge’ – to monitor the market, including charging price levels and affordability, and to enforce regulated minimum standards.

The SMMT said this would keep the consumer at the heart of infrastructure planning and roll out to ensure every region of the UK is in readiness for the

Mike Hawes

end of sale of new petrol and diesel cars in 2030, with a unified approach bringing together drivers, chargepoint operators, energy companies and local authorities.

Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive, said: “The automotive industry is up for the challenge of a zero-emission new car and van market by 2035. Delivering this ambition – an ambition that would put the UK ahead of every major market in the world – needs more than automotive investment. It needs the commensurate commitment of all other stakeholders, especially the charging industry as surveys show that range anxiety has been replaced by charging anxiety.

“Our plan puts the consumer at the heart of this transition, assuring them of the best possible experience backed by an independent regulator. With clear, equivalent targets and support for operators and local authorities that match consumer needs, government can ensure the UK has a chargepoint network that makes electric mobility a reality for all, cutting emissions, driving growth and supporting consumers across the UK.” A Department for Transport (DfT) spokesperson said: “The government is providing more than £1.3bn to support the continued roll-out of chargepoints at homes, businesses and on residential streets across the UK, levelling up our chargepoint provision while supporting the deployment of rapid chargepoints on motorways and major A roads in England.”

The government will be publishing an EV infrastructure plan, the spokesperson said. “We continue to work with local authorities to ensure they are engaged in the transition, and are encouraging them to make use of the on-street residential chargepoint scheme which last year committed £20m for the roll out of public chargepoints in residential areas,” the DfT spokesperson added.

5

EV#1_March 2022.qxp_PR358_p19-30 09/03/2022 19:15 Page 6

NEWS

EQUANS joins Ford’s BlueOval network Ford has teamed up with UK chargepoint network operator EQUANS to give owners of its electric vehicles better access to chargers when on the road.

Ford’s partnership with EQUANS, which owns and operates the GeniePoint charger network, takes the Ford BlueOval network to over 16,000 UK chargepoints, and more than 300,000 across Europe. The carmaker has signed similar deals with the IONITY and bp pulse networks.

The BlueOval EV charging scheme is accessible via the Ford Pass app. BlueOval charge network users include owners of the regular allelectric Mustang Mach-E introduced last year, plus Ford Kuga car and Transit/Tourneo Custom van plug-in hybrids.

GeniePoint, the third largest rapid charging network in the UK, has more than 500 rapid chargepoints, which can now be located, monitored and paid for within the Ford Pass app.

Last year bp pulse, the biggest

A Ford Mustang Mach-E and an EQUANS charger

public charging network in the UK, was also integrated.

Tim Nicklin, Ford’s electrification manager, said: “The new Mustang Mach-E, and our plug-in hybrids, are propelling Ford at pace towards electrified engines accounting for more than half of our car sales by the end of 2022.

EQT acquires InstaVolt InstaVolt has a new owner, with Zouk Capital having sold the charging infrastructure provider to the investor EQT Infrastructure.

Headquartered in Basingstoke, InstaVolt was founded in 2016 and currently operates around 700 DC charging points with 50kW capacity.

Adrian Keen

6

Its chargepoints are most often situated at retail, food, beverage and forecourt sites.

Current partners include McDonald’s, Costa Coffee and Booths.

Adrian Keen, InstaVolt’s chief executive officer, said: “InstaVolt has set a standard in the UK for driver experience and infrastructure, and now with support from EQT, we are in a unique position to accelerate that target and replicate our model in other geographies, transitioning the business into the next phase of growth.”

Anna Sundell, partner and head of EQT Infrastructure’s UK advisory team, said: “The future is electric and InstaVolt is essential to the roll-out of EV charging infrastructure across the UK, a prerequisite for enabling mass adoption of EVs.”

“Key to this roll-out is providing Ford customers with a supporting infrastructure and now, together with GeniePoint, we continue our commitment to match more electrified vehicles with enough locations to charge them.”

Dee Humphries, managing director of EQUANS’ EV

Solutions business, said: “We’re delighted to be linking with Ford to provide their drivers with access to our rapidly growing GeniePoint network.

This partnership reflects our focus at GeniePoint, which is to make it as easy as possible for EV drivers to get a charge whenever and wherever they need it.”

Vauxhall partners with JustPark to boost home charging Vauxhall has entered into a partnership with parking provider JustPark to help people buying its electric vehicles find convenient charging locations near their homes.

The carmaker is encouraging EV drivers without home charging to join the JustCharge Community Charging network, which sees people with a charger on their drive or property rent these out to other EV drivers.

Paul Willcox, managing director, Vauxhall, said: “Charging at home overnight is the most convenient and cheapest charging solution.

But, around 40% of households in the UK do not have access to off-street parking and therefore the switch to electric isn’t the same for everyone. Vauxhall is

committed to making going electric as simple as possible – so, we’re delighted to lead the way and partner with JustPark and its new JustCharge Community Charging network.”

Matt Shirley, head of EV networks at JustPark, said: “Having lived with an electric vehicle without a home charging point, I know firsthand the challenges that solely relying on public chargers can bring.”

A Vauxhall Mokka-e

EVolution | March 2022

EV#1_March 2022.qxp_PR358_p19-30 09/03/2022 19:15 Page 7

ANALYSIS

ERNEST OJEH/UNSPLASH

Europe needs 65m EV chargers by 2035 Eurelectric and EY report sets out scale of challenge The transition to electric vehicles will create a need for Europe’s public authorities, electricity utilities, grid and chargepoint operators to work together in order to plan charging infrastructure, says a study produced by Eurelectric and Ernst & Young (EY).

It is predicted that there will be 130 million electric vehicles on European roads by 2035, up from 3.3 million today.

The growth in EVs means that 65 million chargers need to be installed to unlock a seamless user experience. Of those, 85% will be residential, while 4% will be on public highways.

Jean-Bernard Lévy, Eurelectric’s president said: “Electrification is now an irreversible megatrend in road transport.

The challenge ahead is speeding up infrastructure roll out in a wellcoordinated manner to respond to growing charging needs while ensuring the optimal use of the electricity network.”

Eurelectric represents the interests of the European electricity sector, with members in over 30 European countries.

The organisation’s members comprise 3,500 companies in power generation, distribution and supply.

The study focusses on the anticipated surge in EV sales across Europe (the EU 27, plus Norway, Switzerland and the UK) and the charging infrastructure that is required to support it. It analyses different charging needs across six segments: residential – rural and urban, workplace, fleet hubs, overnight stay hubs and highways, and examines the impact on electricity load. It also seeks to articulate the scale of the challenge and the technology solutions that are either available, or under development, to minimise peak load and capture value from flexibility in EV batteries, and smart charging solutions.

Serge Colle, EY’s global energy and resources industry market leader, said: “To accelerate EV uptake, we need to make e-mobility work for the customer.

This means delivering a seamless experience with a robust charging infrastructure that allows everyone to charge quickly and reliably. With significant investment needed in the grid and on supporting critical digital solutions, utilities are key to winning customers’ hearts and minds.”

The charging infrastructure roll-out must keep up the EV market growth. The

EVolution | March 2022

A street charger in the Netherlands

study flags up an urgent need to tackle existing bottlenecks such as: permitting and grid connection delays of up to 36 months, funding constraints, availability and access to real-estate in strategic charging locations and interoperability restrictions.

The study predicts the existing electricity grid will be able to accommodate the transition to EVs, but advance planning and coordination are needed to ensure that it copes with future peaks in energy demand and increased loads. Once EV penetration reaches 50% on an urban distribution network, uncontrolled charging could lead to voltage deviations and affect the quality of power supply.

In addition to overseeing the installation of millions of chargers, Europe’s utility industry will need to manage an increased load on the grid.

Along highway corridors, where drivers will expect fast charging on demand, EVs could increase peak loads by 90%, according to EY’s calculations. Managing these surges will require on-site solar and energy storage systems at charging stations.

In urban residential settings, EY

expects charging demand to surge in the evenings, when drivers return from work, causing potential increases in peak load of 86%. To smooth these peaks electricity providers will need to offer incentives for drivers to charge at off-peak times and to put power from car batteries back into the grid, meaning both homes and cars will need two-way charging capabilities.

With such mitigations in place, according to the report, utilities could reduce EV demand spikes by more than a fifth.

The study explores several mitigating solutions to such challenges. While ensuring that chargepoints are situated where they deliver maximum customer convenience and provide the right investment incentives, it recommends to: • digitalise the grid to understand, anticipate and optimise customer behaviour, grid impacts and network needs • install smart chargers to manage capacity and prevent the grid from buckling under the pressure of millions of EVs plugging in simultaneously • integrate energy storage solutions in the charging infrastructure for situations when demand for rapid and high-power charging is heightened.

7

EV#1_March 2022.qxp_PR358_p19-30 09/03/2022 19:15 Page 8

NEWS

BP chargers land at Gatwick Chargepoint operator teams up with Q-Park Gridserve opens Welsh hub Gridserve has opened a highpowered electric vehicle (EV) charging hub at Moto Swansea.

Located at junction 47 on the M4, the Electric Hub forms part of the Gridserve Electric Highway charging networks. It will initially host six 350kW high-power EV chargepoints, with the option to add a further six high-power chargers as soon as they are required.

All the chargers will be supplied with 100% net zero carbon energy from Gridserve’s solar farms, accept contactless payment for maximum accessibility, and have the ability to deliver 100-miles of range in less than 10 minutes.

Connecting Cornwall The Drive EV2 Project is bringing 150 new public access electric vehicle chargepoints to Cornwall.

The project, funded by the European Regional Development Fund and Cornwall Council, includes small number of rapid and ultra-rapid chargepoints at locations without adequate rapid-charging capacity.

Wandsworth rolls out EV chargers Wandsworth Council has commissioned a new tranche of kerbside charging points.

The London council began rolling out the on-street infrastructure in 2021 across 26 sites. The latest installations bring the total number of sites to 35, comprising 65 dual-socket 22Kw chargepoints.

The chargepoints are owned and operated by Liberty Charge.

Cllr Kim Caddy and Liberty Charge`s Neil Isaacson

8

Electric vehicle charging network bp pulse has opened a charging hub at Q-Park’s Gatwick Airport parking facility.

The hub includes three ultra-fast 150kW charging units that charge an EV to 80% capacity in as little as 10-15 minutes providing a range of around 100 miles.

Using new hardware, these units will be upgraded to 300kW giving compatible EV vehicles an even faster charge. The site also includes four 50kW chargers, providing convenient charging for airport users, taxi drivers, local businesses with electric vehicle fleets, and local residents.

Enabled by UK Power

The bp pulse hub at Q-Park Gatwick

Networks, the seven chargers allow 10 electric vehicles to charge simultaneously.

Akira Kirton, chief executive of bp pulse, said: “We want to bring convenient, fast charging where it is needed most. The opening of this latest hub at the UK’s second busiest airport is another important step in our roll out of ultra-

fast charging. Towards the end of last year we installed some of the first ultra-fast chargers on major UK motorways, and now we’re starting 2022 with another industry first.”

Q-Park Gatwick, also known as Purple Parking, is one of Gatwick Airports largest off-site car parks with space for over 3,000 vehicles.

London City Airport offers charging London City Airport has opened its first electric car charging stations. The airport is initially offering seven new charging stations for use by its passengers, staff and black cabs.

The airport anticipates adding more stations as passenger figures rebound and more people switch to electric vehicles.

The initial installation will include three 50kW rapid and four 22kW fast charging points, of which one 50kW charger will be specially designated for use by the local black cab community.

The remaining rapid and fast chargers will be located in the airport’s car parks and will be available to passengers, staff and minicabs.

The service will be provided by bp pulse, which is part of BP. The rapid charge for passengers will cost 30p per kWh, with payment possible either by credit card or via the bp pulse app.

The installation was

London City Airport CEO Robert Sinclair with aviation minister Robert Courts

undertaken by UK Power Networks Services, which manages the airport’s private electricity network.

London City Airport chief executive Robert Sinclair said: “Travel is about more than just a flight and we are committed to encouraging clean journeys, whether by electric car or by DLR, to and from London City.

“As we start to offer connections to more destinations and welcome returning and new passengers

to the airport, I am hopeful that the electric charging stations will help reaffirm our position as the airport with the best sustainable transport links in the UK.” Aviation minister Robert Courts welcomed the initiative, saying: “As we build back greener from the COVID-19 pandemic, it is great to see London City Airport leading the way in catering for the growing number of people who are switching to electric vehicles.”

EVolution | March 2022

EV#1_March 2022.qxp_PR358_p19-30 09/03/2022 19:15 Page 9

PROFILE

Energy Superhub Oxford takes shape Redbridge park & ride is being transformed into a mobility and charging hub Oxford will soon be home to the UK’s largest public EV charging hub. Work is progressing at Redbridge park & ride, to the south-west of the city, to connect the site to National Grid’s high voltage electricity transmission network and install an initial 40 fast to ultra-rapid chargers.

The chargepoint station is being developed by Pivot Power and Oxford City Council as part of the wider Energy Superhub Oxford (ESO) project.

With up to 10MW of power available, the P&R site will have the capacity to scale up and meet the need for EV charging in the area over the coming decades.

When the charging hub opens in Spring 2022 it will feature 38 terminals, comprising: • 10 x Fastned chargers (up to 300kW) • 12 x Tesla chargers (250kW) • 18 x Wenea Energy chargers (7-22kW) The chargers will be open 24/7, with payment possible via a contactless method as well as app-based payments.

An on-site café is being planned, so that drivers can buy drinks and snacks, ensuring the charging process is as convenient as possible.

Oxford’s energy vision The Energy Superhub Oxford is pioneering an integrated approach to decarbonising power, transport and heat to accelerate Oxford’s zero carbon journey.

The ESO project showcases a network of rapid EV charging, hybrid battery storage, low carbon heating, and smart energy management, combining new technologies and financial models to create a blueprint for towns and cities across the UK to cut carbon emissions and improve air quality.

Chargepoint hub canopies being erected at the Redbridge park & ride site

The £41m project is part-funded by the UK government and is being delivered by a consortium of companies which comprises Pivot Power, part of EDF Renewables, Oxford City Council, the University of Oxford, Habitat Energy, Kensa Contracting, and Invinity Energy Systems.

With Oxford having introduced the UK’s first Zero Emission Zone (ZEZ) at the end of February 2022, ESO will support the city’s aims to reduce toxic air pollution levels, tackle the climate emergency, and improve the health of residents, workers and visitors in Oxford and beyond. It is estimated that ESO will save 10,000 tonnes of CO2 a year once fully operational – equivalent to taking over 2,000 cars off the road, increasing to 25,000 tonnes by 2032.

Cllr Tom Hayes, deputy leader of Oxford City Council and cabinet member for green transport and Zero Carbon Oxford, said: “This is an exciting next step in the Energy Superhub Oxford project. Redbridge park & ride will be the UK’s largest public electric vehicle hub.

Providing electric vehicle charging infrastructure is crucial to help us achieve a Zero Carbon Oxford by 2040 and to support the uptake of electric vehicles.”

Making connections

CGI rendering of the charging hub

EVolution | March 2022

The Oxford Superhub will be directly connected to National Grid’s high voltage transmission network, providing the power needed to charge large numbers of EVs quickly without putting strain on the local electricity network. ESO will share this connection with a 50MW hybrid battery, which will combine lithium-ion and vanadium flow technology to enable more renewable power onto the grid.

The network will also have capacity to expand to key locations throughout Oxford to meet mass EV charging needs, from buses and taxis to commercial fleets.

Tim Rose, programme manager for ESO at Pivot Power, added: “Energy Superhub Oxford is creating the power infrastructure needed to supercharge electric vehicle uptake across Oxford and meet the demand for fast, easy and reliable charging for decades to come.”

ESO is one of up to 40 similar sites planned by Pivot Power across the UK to help deliver charging infrastructure for the estimated 36 million EVs by 2040.

Battery energised

The Energy Superhub Oxford features what is the UK’s largest flow battery. The 5MWh vanadium flow + lithium-ion hybrid battery system, manufactured in the UK by Invinity Energy Systems, will combine with a 50MWh Wärtsilä lithium-ion battery to operate as a single energy storage asset.

Tim Rose, programme manager for Energy Superhub Oxford at Pivot Power said: “Energising the vanadium flow battery is an important step towards full commissioning and operation of the system. Once live, this cuttingedge hybrid battery will demonstrate how vanadium flow and lithium-ion technologies can be combined for maximum benefit, to accelerate net zero and power our lives with clean energy.”

9

EV#1_March 2022.qxp_PR358_p19-30 09/03/2022 19:15 Page 10

INFRASTRUCTURE

Giving drivers real power Which? calls for major overhaul of electric vehicle charging infrastructure Which? is calling for a major upgrade to the UK’s electric car public charging system infrastructure. In a report called Building an Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure that is Fit for the Future, the consumer champion has identified a failure to meet disabled drivers’ needs, limited interoperability between multiple payment systems, and poor chargepoint reliability, while if something goes wrong there is not a clear redress system in place.

Which? has also carried out research that reveals that only 13% of electric and plug-in hybrid car charging currently happens via public chargers.

The organisation’s annual car survey suggests that most of today’s electric vehicle (EV) and plug-in hybrid (PHEV) drivers are not solely dependent on using public chargers, but that will change in the future.

For those who need a car, switching to an electric vehicle at the right time is an important step in reducing carbon emissions, and will contribute significantly towards meeting the UK’s target to reach net zero by 2050.

However, the consumer body says significant work is needed to address consumers’ concerns about switching to EVs and ensure that user-friendly infrastructure is in place to support them when they do decide.

The consumer champion says that the

10

roll-out of public charging infrastructure is not happening quickly enough, with provision varying significantly across the UK. Those who are unable to charge from home due to a lack of off-street parking face having to pay higher prices on the public network, and some aspects of the public chargepoint network simply are not working well for consumers.

The Competition and Market Authority (CMA) estimates there will be eight million drivers across the UK who do not have the ability to charge an EV from home. As the UK approaches the ban on sales of new petrol and diesel cars in 2030 and drivers switch to electric, the number of people who will be completely reliant on public charging will rise starkly. This is why Which? believes it is vital that access to the public charging network is improved, as well as the experience of using it.

Sue Davies, Which? head of consumer protection policy, said: “Our research shows that few electric vehicle owners currently rely on the public charging network, but this will have to change if millions of people are going to switch from petrol and diesel vehicles in the next decade.

“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.

“Charging must be easy, accessible and affordable if people are going to make the move to an electric car. To that end, we are publishing our first electric vehicle charging policy paper that sets out our recommendations for the future of public charging infrastructure across the UK nations.”

Building an Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure that is Fit for the Future www.which.co.uk

The research The annual Which? car survey shows the vast majority (93%) of EV and PHEV drivers have the ability to charge their car at home using either a wall charging unit or standard threepin socket. It also shows that 15% of EV charging and 5% of PHEV charging happens using the public car charging infrastructure, or 13% overall.

The figures relating to the amount of charging using public infrastructure and percentage of those who charge at home come from the 2021 Which? Car survey; a UK survey in field from April to July 2021.

48,034 respondents told Which? about 56,853 cars they own and drive, including 2,184 EV/BEV owners and 923 PHEV owners.

EVolution | March 2022

EV#1_March 2022.qxp_PR358_p19-30 09/03/2022 19:15 Page 11

INFRASTRUCTURE

Consumers’ advice The Which? EV infrastructure report sets out a series of strategies that it recommends the UK government and devolved administrations should adopt. These include: • Setting out a plan to expand on-street charging options. Plans should be set out to work with local authorities and chargepoint companies to ensure that on-street public charging is readily available for those who need it.

• Setting out a plan to expand the en-route charging network, coordinating with the other governments where appropriate. In England, the Rapid Charging Fund (RCF) should be rolled out quickly and used to address cold spots in rural and remote areas as well as to support expansion on motorways and major roads.

• Moving forward with proposals to ensure effective competition between chargepoint operators (CPOs) at motorway service areas (MSAs), in line with the recent Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) market study recommendations.

• Clarifying the responsibilities of local authorities and ensuring comprehensive guidance and support are provided.

• Ensuring funding is targeted at areas where the market is not delivering. Strategies should set out the UK and devolved governments’ plans to work with providers to identify suitable financing, for areas where the market is not delivering chargepoints at a sufficient pace to meet current and future demand.

• Moving forward with government plans to mandate accessibility standards for public chargepoints.

• Moving forward with plans to require CPOs at certain sites to offer open access charging (as opposed to chargers restricted to users of a certain car brand, for example), and these requirements should be extended to all public chargepoints.

Which? calls on the UK and devolved governments to monitor the availability of charging plugs and, if the industry coalesces around a single standard, that this does not unreasonably constrain the ability of users of other types of plug to charge. It urges the simplification and standardisation of charging systems, calling on the UK government to regulate for more and simpler payment interoperability.

The transition to EVs is an opportunity to transform the consumer experience, writes Rocio Concha

The customer journey At Which?, we have made a commitment to bringing sustainability into everything we do, from our work representing consumers through advocacy, to our in-depth investigations and rigorous product testing and advice. We’ve been testing electric vehicles (EVs) for over a decade, and it is clear to us that as well as being vital to tackling the climate crisis and helping us to reach net zero, the transition to EVs is also an opportunity to transform the consumer experience for those who need to own a car.

Our vision of the EV future would see drivers being able to easily find an available, working charger somewhere nearby, park up, and pay using their bank card or via one app/RFID card (radio-frequency identification card, a type of identification card used to pay at chargepoints). Pricing should be simple and fair. Disabled drivers should be both catered for with suitable chargepoints and the means to easily locate them.

Chargepoints should be reliable, but if something should go wrong, adequate support should be on hand and a suitable system of redress for any experience that requires it.

Right now, that’s not the case. It’s a confusing maze of 60 networks with limited interoperability, little consideration for disabled drivers’ needs – and we don’t even know where all chargepoints are located.

There is a lot of great work happening in EV infrastructure being spearheaded by some fantastic companies, and guided by UK and devolved governments. But more needs to be done, and as EV numbers continue to rise and the public charging infrastructure becomes integral to everyday life, the more significant these issues will become.

It is vital that we act now to build the right foundations so that consumers can transition to an EV with confidence and look forward to a seamless, positive and convenient driving experience. To this end, Which? is publishing a report to highlight the weaknesses of the public charging infrastructure as it stands, propose tangible solutions and, ultimately, help get the public charging infrastructure to a place where consumers can truly reap the benefits of a net zero future.

Rocio Concha is director of policy and advocacy at Which?

Barriers to EV adoption Which? research shows that three of the five most significant barriers to consumers buying an electric car relate to anxiety about charging: • 33%: lack of chargepoints on long journeys • 29%: concerns about a lack of chargepoints close to their home • 28%: how long it takes to recharge an electric vehicle.

These were findings of a Which? survey of consumers’ attitudes towards electric carried out online by Yonder and data has been weighted to be representative of the UK population (aged 18+).

EVolution | March 2022

On-street charging should be readily available

11

EV#1_March 2022.qxp_PR358_p19-30 09/03/2022 19:15 Page 12

Organised by:

Supported by:

Event partners:

Creating connected spaces that encourage sustainable travel

The idea of providing a concentration of mobility services at one place is emerging as a way of creating sustainable public transport systems.

Speakers

When reimagined as mobility hubs, car parks are no longer just places to store vehicles. Instead they become positive places that offer co-located services such as electric vehicle (EV) charging and shared mobility services.

l Mark Dickins, Managing Director, Mobilize Power Solutions

Mobility hubs also represent the next step in the evolution of park & ride services, which will become genuine interchanges where people can switch from private cars to buses, trains, cycles and walking.

EV hubs offer drivers access to chargepoints in car parks at destinations such as shopping centres or in service area style facilities on major roads. The parallel emergence of service hubs is seeing other car parks acting as bases for logistics services and a range of activities such as ‘dark kitchens’ and ‘dark stores’.

This one-day conference will see speakers and expert panels explore the design, implementation and operation of mobility, EV and service hubs.

© CoMoUK

Wednesday 25 May 2022 l 15 Hatfields, London SE1 Confirmed speakers and panellists taking part in Mobility Hubs 2022 include:

l Keith Fiskin, Programmes Manager, SEStran l Sam Hunn, Commercial Manager, Fonix l Fiona Jenkins, Associate, Steer l Matthew Ledbury, Senior Policy and Advocacy Officer, CoMoUK

Delegate rates

l Jennie Martin, Secretary-General, ITS (UK)

First Delegate

£225 + VAT

Each Additional Delegate £150 + VAT

l Tina Mould, Capital Programme Project Manager, Oxford City Council l Grace Packard, Mobility Transport Expert l Fiona Petch, Architect and Director, Fatkin l Mark Potter, Director, Potter Church & Holmes Architects More speakers to be confirmed soon

www.TransportXtra.com/events

Sponsorship & exhibition The event’s exhibition provides an excellent opportunity to showcase your systems and services. To find out how your organisation can be part of the day contact Jason Conboy on: jason.conboy@landor.co.uk