CMA studies EV charging
23 July 2021
Posts about the practicalities of electric vehicles are popular on the blog, and the topic has cropped up again with an announcement from the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA).
The authority has set out measures to ensure that a national network of electric vehicle charge points is in place ahead of the 2030 ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars.
Its market study found that, while some parts are developing relatively well – including charging at shopping centres, workplaces and people’s private garages and driveways – others face problems.
In particular, the CMA is concerned about the choice and availability of charge points at motorway service stations, where competition is limited. It also states that the roll-out of on-street charging by local authorities is too slow, and rural areas risk being left behind due to lack of investment.
In addition, concerns about the reliability of charging points, difficulties in comparing prices and paying for charging, risk reducing people’s confidence and trust.
All this echoes issues that have been highlighted earlier on the blog, in several posts about the experiences of Genquip Groundhog’s Peter Beach with his new electric car!
The CMA has set out four principles to ensure that using and paying for charging is as simple as filling up with petrol and diesel. It says working charge points must be easy to find with up-to-date availability and status information; it must be simple and quick to pay for; the cost must be clear with standard pricing, such as per kilowatt of energy; and it must be accessible to any type of EV.
Measures like these would certainly help delivery drivers and electric car owners working for hirers and other businesses.
The UK has around 25,000 charge points currently and forecasts suggest more than ten times this amount will be needed by 2030.
Andrea Coscelli, chief executive of the CMA, said: “Our recommendations will promote strong competition, encourage more investment, and build people’s trust, both now and in the future.
“The CMA has also opened a competition law investigation into EV charging along motorways and will continue to work with government and the industry to help ensure electric vehicle charging is a success.”
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