New requirements for electric chargepoints as country moves towards net zero

• From 1 July, all Government-funded chargepoints must use innovative ‘smart’ technology which could keep costs down for consumers
• New regulations contribute to the Government’s net zero emissions target and ambition for future transport to be cheaper and greener
• Announcement follows the UK becoming the first G7 country to legislate for zero net emissions

Roads Minister Michael Ellis has today announced that all government-funded home chargepoints installed in the future must be ‘smart’.

From 1 July, all chargepoints backed by the Government Electric Vehicle Homecharge Scheme must have the ability to be remotely accessed and capable of receiving, interpreting and reacting to a signal.

Smart charging can reduce high peaks of electricity demands, minimising the impact of electric vehicles on the electricity system – and crucially, keeping costs down for consumers by encouraging off-peak charging.

Michael Ellis, Roads Minister, said:

“The Government wants the UK to be the best place in the world to build and own an electric vehicle, with leadership and innovation helping us pave the way to a zero-emission future.

“We’re in the driving seat of the zero-emission revolution. Our new requirements for chargepoints could help keep costs down, ensuring the benefits of green transport are felt by everyone.”

Approximately 200 chargepoint models, from 25 chargepoint manufacturers, have been confirmed as eligible after 1 July 2019, and have been marked accordingly on the Government’s online chargepoint model approval list.

Last summer the Government published the Road to Zero strategy, built around a core mission for all new cars and vans to be effectively zero emission by 2040, and outlined the ambition for all future transport to be cheaper, safer and more accessible in the Future of Mobility: Urban Strategy. Since then, the UK has seen record levels of ultra-low emission vehicles registered.

The measures outlined in the Road to Zero Strategy amount to nearly £1.5 billion of investment and represent one of the world’s most comprehensive packages of support for zero-emission vehicles.

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Notes to editors:

Since 2013, the Government has supported the installation of over 110,000 domestic chargepoints through grant support schemes.

Current Electric Vehicle Homecharge Scheme grant rates are committed until March 2020, or until 30,000 installations in 2019/20 have been supported, whichever is sooner. Current Workplace Charging Scheme grant rates are committed until March 2020.

Commenting on the Department for Transports announcement that smart charging points installed at domestic properties will now involve smart technology*, Edmund King, AA president says; “Three fifths (59%**) of drivers agree that domestic charging points should automatically default and delay charging a vehicle until energy prices are at their lowest. As well as keeping bills down, it will also allow the grid to cope with the new demand.

“However, there are occasions when drivers will need to override the system and charge their cars immediately. Three quarters (75%) want this option as part of the new system and we are pleased it is in place ahead of the new installations.”