Electric car charging revolution can ‘level the playing field’ for all EV drivers
Millions of drivers across the UK need to make the switch to electric in the coming years before the ban on the sale of petrol and diesel vehicles from 2035. There are more than 100 electric cars available on the market and prices are falling, experts hope the uptake of EVs will pick up in the near future.
While more than one million electric vehicles have been registered already, many are still hesitant to switch, noting fears including battery range, prices of new cars and national charging infrastructure.
While measures are in place to boost the number of EV chargers around the country, further steps are needed to achieve a sustainable charging model. There are more than 60,000 public chargers around the UK and around 700,000 chargers installed at homes and workplaces, with calls for greater investment to boost these numbers.
GB News spoke to Denis Watling, managing director at ChargeGuru UK, about whether the Government needs to do more to help drivers and companies install electric vehicle chargers at their homes and offices.
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Home EV chargers can help drivers save hundreds of pounds in costs
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The Government has already worked hard to contribute to the UK’s EV commitment, and in order for individuals to make the most of what is available, it is our industry’s responsibility to deliver accessible solutions to those in need of EV chargers.
There is a continuous need to educate consumers about what’s available to them, such as the various OZEV grants – administered by the Office for Zero Emission Vehicles (OZEV) – which enables subsidised chargepoints to be installed.
OZEV provides up to £350 off the cost of purchasing and installing a charging point for people who live in a rented property or own a flat and to those with on-street parking.
Landlords or property managers can also claim up to an additional £500 per bay (for up to 60 bays) towards the cost of installing infrastructure for residents, via the EV infrastructure grant for residential car parks.
ChargeGuru, as an end-to-end charging solution provider, manages the OZEV application as part of the pre-installation process, as well as providing maintenance and assistance once they are in the ground.
Similarly, the Workplace Charging Scheme (WCS) can reduce the cost of installation for businesses and destinations by up to £350 per charging socket.
Installing a chargepoint at home when you have a driveway is relatively straightforward and cost-effective nowadays, particularly when we consider the financial advantages of cheaper electricity rates for charging your EV.
Therefore the Government’s shift in financial support towards the more difficult and costly “at-home” charging scenarios, such as apartment blocks and on-street parking, makes sense.
However, it’s imperative that landlords and property managers are aware of the grants and that they are enabled to access them by our industry.
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There are more than 61,000 public EV chargers around the country
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Our fully-funded apartment block solution utilises elements of the grants in order to provide a zero-cost option for building owners and provides the opportunity for residents to charge at home, enabling a simpler transition and level the playing field for those with and without private driveways.
Denis Watling, Managing Director at ChargeGuru UK
