RAC Foundation: National charge point network needed for electric vehicles

Potential purchases of electric vehicles with have limited widespread impact without a national charge point network, particularly on motorways and major A-Roads, according to a report by the RAC Foundation. Report author Harold Dermot outlines several challenges that need addressing.Currently, 80% of EV owners have access to home charging, but 93% use the public charging network.
October 4, 2017 Read time: 2 mins

Potential purchases of electric vehicles with have limited widespread impact without a national charge point network, particularly on motorways and major A-Roads, according to a report by the 4961 RAC Foundation.

Report author Harold Dermot outlines several challenges that need addressing.

Currently, 80% of EV owners have access to home charging, but 93% use the public charging network. In June 2017 around 13% of charge points were out of action at any one time and a lack of standardisation of connectors and charging protocols has resulted in an array of types of charge point, connectors and tariffs which is poorly presented to the public.  In addition, rapid charge points (50KW and above) are essential for battery electric vehicles on long journeys but are irrelevant for plug-in hybrid vehicles which can only recharge at 3.6KW.

The report highlights the Automated Electric Vehicle Bill as presenting an opportunity to address these issues by ensuring appropriate charge points on motorways and grants for providers that also use energy storage units. Charge point operators should cooperate on shared methods of payment and to introduce time limits for repairing faulty recharging equipment.

RAC Foundation director Steve Gooding, said: "We may be on the cusp of a motoring revolution, but step-changes in vehicle technology must be matched by equally big strides in our recharging infrastructure. The Automated and Electric Vehicles Bill offers the opportunity to make sure that happens."

However, Matt Dyer, 5814 LeasePlan UK’s managing director said: “It wasn’t too long ago that the Government stated its intentions to invest in the UK’s electric car infrastructure and we are still waiting to see the shape this investment will take and the full impact of it. For LeasePlan, we believe electric vehicles are what’s next and have already started working towards our ambition of all our employees driving electric cars by 2021 as well as encouraging our customers to make the switch.”

“Over half the cars on the road belong to companies and making the transition to an electric fleet is one of the easiest ways for businesses to lower their emissions and to help tackle climate change,” he added.

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Volvo Buses to deliver 90 electric models to Brussels
    March 18, 2018
    Volvo Buses will deliver 90 hybrid models to the Brussels Intercommunal Transport Company to expand and modernise the region's public transport. The project is part of the country’s ambition to transition its entire fleet to electric by 2030. In addition, the order also includes service and maintenance of the buses, which will be managed by Volvo Trucks Center Brussels. Most of the fleet will enter regular traffic this year. Håkan Agnevall, president Volvo Buses, said: "Belgium continues to take the l
    Read More
  • Sacramento to trial EV charging
    December 18, 2012
    The city of Sacramento in California is to trial electric vehicle (EV) charging on its own EVs. Evatran, developer of Plugless Power wireless electric vehicle charging technology, has announced that the city is to take part in its Apollo Trial Program, joining industry participant such as Bosch Automotive Service Solutions, Duke Energy, Google, DTE Energy, and the Hertz Corporation. Plugless Power technology, based on the 100 year old principle of magnetic induction, was developed to allow electric vehicle
    Read More
  • RAC report - motorists frustrated with road taxes
    June 13, 2013
    According to the RAC’s 2013 Report on Motoring, the condition of the UK’s motorways and local roads, characterised by the now year-round problem of potholes, ranks as a top concern for motorists. While the cost of driving is understandably still the number one concern for nearly half (46 per cent) of Britain’s motorists, two in five (41 per cent) say maintenance of local roads and motorways is their top spending priority. In addition, 84 per cent of motorists believe their local roads are deteriorating and
    Read More
  • ITSA’s Shailen Bhatt looks to the future
    March 6, 2018
    The new boss of ITS America is fizzing with ideas. Shailen Bhatt talks to Adam Hill about the need to rebrand the ITS industry, how technology can leverage tax dollars – and where the Star Wars universe fits in to his philosophy. Shailen Bhatt has a big job on his hands. The CEO and president of the Intelligent Transportation Society of America is the second to hold the post in two years following the resignation last July of his predecessor Regina Hopper. It has not been the easiest time for the
    Read More

Highlighted Content