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

  • Wireless charging project could change perceptions of electric vehicles
    October 10, 2012
    A two-year pilot project has begun in London with taxi firm Addison Lee and electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer Renault, which uses the principle of magnetic induction to jump electricity from a base station direct to the vehicle’s battery to deliver wireless charging. The charging technology being used is called Halo and has been developed by mobile innovations company Qualcomm, the organisation responsible for processors powering the latest generation of smartphones and tablets. ‘EV drivers will opt for th
    Read More
  • UK ITS professionals doubt driverless car timescales
    February 6, 2018
    Only one member of ITS (UK) thinks that level five driverless cars will be on the country’s roads by 2021, as suggested by chancellor Philip Hammond in the autumn budget. The results showed a near 50/50 split between those who expect fully driverless cars to be available within 15 years and those who think it will take longer to become widespread.
    Read More
  • Chargefox to implement EV ultra-rapid charging stations in Australia
    October 26, 2018
    Australian Start-up Chargefox has secured AUS$15 million to build an ultra-rapid network of charging stations for electric vehicles (EV) in the south-eastern state of Victoria. The company says the chargers will allow drivers to travel between major cities. The EV chargers are expected to supply 400km of range in 15 minutes with a power output of up to 350kW. The fund was provided by grants from the Victorian government and the Australian Renewable Energy Agency. It also includes an investment from
    Read More
  • Sampo Hietanen: “Why BP investment in MaaS Global is a good thing”
    November 26, 2019
    As a multinational oil giant, BP might not seem like the greenest choice for sustainable mobility provider and Whim owner MaaS Global. Sampo Hietanen explains his reasoning...
    Read More

Highlighted Content