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

  • ABB installs 15 fast chargers for electric vehicles, Iceland
    November 8, 2017
    ON Power, a part of Reykjavik Energy, has signed a contract with ABB for the delivery and installation of 15 Terra multi-standard DC chargers type 53 CJG at various points along Iceland’s main highway. It is part of a plan to expand an e-mobility strategy by increasing the availability of charging stations along central locations of the country’s national highway. The fast chargers can charge an electric vehicle (EV) between 15-30 minutes. It features touch screen displays and graphic visualization
    Read More
  • Infrastructure spending is an investment in economic recovery
    January 20, 2012
    Transportation funding is caught in the crossfire as the President calls for infrastructure investment and a reinvigorated Republican majority in the House pushes back on federal spending. Andrew Bardin Williams reports. Every few months some politician or pundit declares that the country is on the verge of making the most important political decision in a generation. The 2006 mid-term election; the 2008 Presidential election; the passing of the stimulus bill; healthcare reform; the mania surrounding Tea Pa
    Read More
  • The case for integrating urban traffic control and parking
    February 3, 2012
    Although urban traffic control and parking management are inextricably linked in so many ways, there remain fundamental differences which undermine closer integration. Car parking guidance systems can have a significant, positive impact on congestion in town and city centres, however conflicting business models still stand in the way of the more profound integration of car parking management and Urban Traffic Control (UTC) systems.
    Read More
  • Moscow summit urges transit change
    June 11, 2019
    International ITS experts flocked to Russia for a new conference on the challenges of urban transit. Eugene Gerden reports from Moscow The Leaders in Urban Transportation Summit is a new international conference organised by the Moscow Department of Transport and Road Infrastructure Development. Dedicated to the latest developments in the field of ITS in the city of Moscow, it took place in the Moskva-Citi Business Center in April – and the intention is to make it an annual event. Senior transport o
    Read More

Highlighted Content