Members of Parliament (MPs) passed new regulations on October 24 to facilitate “easier and more reliable” electric vehicle charging in the UK, according to the press release.
New laws
The new laws demand pricing transparency across all electric vehicle chargepoints and contactless payment features to expand customers’ options. Moreover, it also demands charger providers to provide easy-to-compare pricing data.
In addition, chargepoint providers must also allow EV owners access to the necessary data to locate the available chargepoint based on their charging needs. In effect, it will offer drivers an easier and faster process of finding available chargepoints with the ideal charging speeds and determining their availability for use via third-party apps, online maps, and in-vehicle software.
Moreover, EV owners will also have access to free 24/7 helplines to aid them in any public charging-related issues.
According to the Department for Transport and Rt Hon Jesse Norman MP, these new regulations are crucial as the UK’s public charging infrastructures grew 42% YoY.
Fleet News also indicated that the UK already has more than 50,000 public charge points, with the 50,000th unit installed by MFG EV Power.
Potential outcomes
The Technology and Decarbonisation Minister claims that introducing these newly passed laws will significantly aid the country in establishing a strong and reliable charging network.
“Over time, these new regulations will improve EV charging for millions of drivers, helping them find the chargepoints they want, providing price transparency so that they can compare the cost of different charging options, and updating payment methods.”
Technology and Decarbonisation Minister Jesse Norman
Minister Norman further indicated that this major government initiative will accelerate the efforts to achieve the UK’s 2035 targets for more sustainable transportation.
Electric Vehicle Association England Chief also expressed optimism about the new laws in the UK, citing customers’ potential benefits from the changes.
“Better reliability, clearer pricing, easier payments, plus the potentially game-changing opportunities of open data are all a major step forward for EV drivers and should make the UK one of the best places to charge in the world.
As the rollout of charging infrastructure gathers momentum, these regulations will ensure quality and help put consumers needs at the heart of this transition.”
James Court, Electric Vehicle Association England CEO
Other government initiatives
Future Car reported asserted that the approval of these new laws complements the recently announced standards under the Plan for Drivers initiative, which aims to accelerate chargepoint deployments in the UK.
Apart from that, the Local EV Infrastructure fund allocated £381 million for the first round of applications. It is expected to facilitate the installation of tens of thousands of new chargepoints.
UK local officials can also access the On-Street Residential Chargepoint Scheme (ORCS), which offers up to 50% of project capital costs, with grants limited to £200,000.
These new regulations will significantly aid the UK Government in achieving its target of having zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) account for 80% of its new car sales by 2030. That rate declines to 70% for new van sales in the UK in the same period. By 2035, the target will increase to 100%.
