British Roads Minister, Michael Ellis says from 1 July this year, all government-funded charge-points must use smart technology in a bid to reduce costs for consumers.
From 1 July, 2019, all charge-points 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 keep costs down for consumers by encouraging off-peak charging.
“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,” said Ellis.
“We’re in the driving seat of the zero emission revolution. Our new requirements for charge-points could help keep costs down, ensuring the benefits of green transport are felt by everyone.”
Around 200 charge-point models, from 25 manufacturers, have been confirmed as eligible after 1 July 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.
The measures outlined in the Road to Zero strategy amount to nearly GBP1.5bn (US$1.87bn) of investment.
