Navigating the impact of the Public Charge Point Regulations implemented in November 2023

Navigating the impact of the Public Charge Point Regulations implemented in November 2023

The Public Charging Regulations came into effect in November 2023 and are a game-changer for electric vehicle (EV) charging, as they affect both the EV Infrastructure and EV drivers.

From November 2023, the total cost of a charging session must be displayed clearly in pence per kilowatt hour. The price can be displayed on the charge point or through a separate device.

By November 2024, the following will have to have been implemented:

  • New public charge points of 8kW and above and existing rapid charge points must offer contactless to consumers.
  • Proprietary networks that open their charge points for public use will have one year from the date that the charge point becomes public to offer contactless payment.
  • Each Charge Point Operator’s rapid charger (50kW or above) network must achieve, on average, 99% reliability. (There are some technical exemptions for this, but on the whole, all chargers over 50kW will have to prove the reliability of their products).
  • All Charge Point Operators must provide a free-to-use 24/7 staffed telephone helpline available and advertised at all charge points.
  • All data provided must be accurate and charge point operators must use the Open Charge Point Interface (OCPI) to hold and open their data. Reference and availability data must be publicly available and in a machine-readable format. Government bodies, Distribution Network Operators, Transmission Owners and Electricity System Operators must have access to all data.

By November 2025, Charge Point Operators must enable consumers to pay through at least one roaming provider at their charge points.

What do these regulations mean to EV drivers?

  • These regulations signify a significant change for EV drivers. With the new rules, they will have the flexibility to use contactless debit or credit cards instead of restricted to specific apps.
  • The focus on improving the reliability of charge points will lead to greater user satisfaction.
  • Drivers can expect a more consistent and reliable charging experience, reducing the uncertainty of encountering non-functional chargers.

Some people may argue with me, but I firmly believe that charging an EV should be as straightforward as filling up with petrol. It will never be the same stinky experience as a petrol station, thank goodness. Still, it should be as seamless and efficient as possible to encourage people in the UK to adopt EVs as their main mode of transport.

The expansion of charging stations across the UK is key to this vision. With ample and accessible charging options, any worries about running out of charge during a journey will be significantly alleviated.

Enhancing the reliability of charge points in the UK is crucial for improving the overall reputation of the charging network nationwide. Establishing a more dependable charging infrastructure can boost user confidence and facilitate a smoother transition to electric vehicles.

The Public Charge Point Regulations 2023 are all about making the world of EVs more accessible, convenient, and sustainable.

By encouraging more people to drive EVs, these regulations are a big step towards reducing pollution and fighting climate change.

To make the timeline and regulation requirements easier to understand, we’ve worked with EVA England to create a graphic for you (see below).

There's also the link to it here on Canva.com

Thanks for reading

Liz



Stephen Fitter

Decarbonising UK Logistics | Fleet Wise Trusted Expert 2024 | Save energy, costs, & reduce emissions | Focus Net Zero Founder | Seasoned Interim Project & Programme Director

1 年

I think its a step in the right direction. I especially think the uptime and payment method aspects are particularly needed. For too long, some chargers are left ignored either because maintenance was never considered when installed or the charger doesn't make the money it was thought it would and just left.

I very much applaud the introduction of reliability reporting and requirements. As you say Liz, we need to give motorists the confidence that charge points will be working when someone gets there - and hopefully this will go a long way towards achieving that. Some of the things (like payments by debit and credit card) I remember people querying at the time. But as there is such a plethora of apps out there, perhaps having that standard method of payment is what the industry needs (at least meantime). Hopefully (as with so many other things) in time it may not be required. But as parking still hasn’t worked out a standard method of payment via apps, perhaps charging operators should be given a bit more time! I’d also like to give a shout out to solutions like Paua and Zapmap which have done all they can to provide a more integrated seamless solution for everyone to use.

Ian Trott

Graphic Designer

1 年

Hi Liz, Thanks for sharing this; I welcome all the above points; but it is sadly a huge missed opportunity for full equality. Nowhere does it mention or take into account the huge struggle many disabled EV user have to charge independently at public charge points. It would have been a golden opportunity to roll in the basic minimum access requirements of BSI PAS 1899:2022 to create an infrastructure that was truly accessible to all users independently :( BSI PAS 1899:2022 links Link to short video from Motability - https://youtu.be/_gA0C93EErY Link to download the PDF from BSI - https://www.bsigroup.com/en-GB/standards/pas-1899/

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