During the London EV Show (UK), Lilian Greenwood, Minister for the Future of Roads, highlighted the impact of the Public Charge Point Regulations 2023, which came into force this week.
“The new regulations will make charging simpler, faster, and more transparent,” Greenwood stated.
But what does this mean?
As of 24 November 2024, charge point operators in the UK must comply with strict requirements focused on four key areas:
1. Location and accessibility: Operators must ensure drivers can easily locate charge points via open data and accessible search platforms.
2. Contactless payments: All new charge points over 8 kW, and existing ones of 50 kW or more, must support contactless payments. Public networks have one year to implement this requirement after their chargers go live.
3. Reliability: Rapid charge points must maintain a 99% reliability rate, averaged across each operator’s network.
4. Customer support: A free, 24/7 helpline must be available to assist drivers in case of issues.
These regulations are accompanied by a requirement for operators to submit annual reports to the Secretary of State, ensuring greater transparency in infrastructure management.
And this doesn’t come in isolation.
The UK has already committed over £6 billion to its charging infrastructure, achieving significant progress:
• 71,000 public charge points already installed.
• Over 680,000 households equipped with home chargers.
• 57,000 workplace charge points and 800 at schools, supported by the Workplace Charging Scheme.
• 980 rapid and ultra-rapid charge points available at motorway service areas.
One key challenge remains ensuring access to charging points for drivers without off-street parking.
Addressing this, Greenwood noted:
“We are installing tens of thousands of local charge points through a £380 million fund supporting 113 local authorities, and in 2025-26, we will invest an additional £200 million to accelerate the deployment of this infrastructure.”
The UK’s Commitment to Zero-Emission Transport
The UK’s dedication to electric mobility is a cornerstone of its climate strategy.
Greenwood emphasized the critical need for transitioning to zero-emission vehicles, pointing out that cars account for 57% of road transport emissions.
Key milestones include:
• 2025: Mandatory implementation of roaming providers across all charge points.
• 2030: Ban on sales of new cars relying solely on internal combustion engines.
• 2035: Ban on sales of new cars and vans that are not zero-emission.
Greenwood delivered a clear message:
“The challenge now is ensuring that consumers have the confidence to make the switch early.”
The UK is advancing rapidly, with 24% growth in EV adoption over the past year and more than 83% of drivers satisfied.
These measures not only benefit drivers but also stimulate economic development, positioning the UK as a global leader in the transition to sustainable transport.
“By working together, we will ensure this transition is a success,” Greenwood concluded.
This new regulatory framework not only strengthens existing infrastructure but also sets a benchmark for other nations on their path to total transport electrification.
