Outlined here are some of the charger types available. It is important to note that it is the vehicle and not the charge point that determines charging time.
This section is intended to be used as a beginner’s guide to charging EVs and PHEVs. Outlined here are some of the charger types available along with some jargon-busting. The Go Ultra Low website also has a wealth of information on the subject.
For local authorities, the key message here is that networks need to be reliable and accessible. LA-owned chargepoints need to be regularly maintained and any privately owned and operated ones should be monitored as much as possible to ensure they are working and available for use.
To learn more about different types of power and connectors visit the Energy Saving Trust chargepoint guide for businesses.
Generally home chargers are used in workplace locations, and usually between 3kW and 7kW which equates to around 15-30 miles of charge per hour. Home chargers can be tethered (i.e. cable attached to the unit), although if you change your vehicle in the future you may need to replace the chargepoint if the connector on the vehicle is different.
Can be 3kW, 7kW and increasingly 22kW, the latter charging at up to 80 miles of charge per hour for those vehicles that can accept that much power. These can be located on private property, for example at workplaces, or on public land for example at shopping centres or council car parks. Most will require either an app, smart card or RFID tag to access them.
Generally found at motorway service areas, but increasingly being installed at urban rapid charging hubs and some supermarkets. 50kW offers 70-80 miles of charge in 30 minutes. Rapid chargers offering between 120kW and 350kW of power are being developed and installed, but currently very few vehicles can charge at these rates. All rapid chargepoints are tethered so have the cables connected to the chargepoint. The driver just needs to pick the correct cable, and follow the instructions on the unit to start a charge.
This method is suited to ‘emergency’ or short-term charging. In order to charge an EV using this method the charging cable will be required to deliver close to the maximum amount of KWh a 3-pin plug can handle for anything up to 11 hours for a full charge, so there is a risk that with excessive use they can melt and potentially cause a fire hazard. A 3-pin plug will give between 8-10 miles of charge per hour plugged in.
Key Point: There are a number of charging options. For those without access to off-street parking then public and workplace charging will be vital. More information about chargepoint infrastructure is available here |
Key Point: Charging is one of the major concerns and barriers to consumers and businesses, although it really doesn’t need to be. Make sure you fully understand the options out there, and try to keep up-to-date with the latest developments. |
This grant offers 75% of the cost of installation of one home chargepoint per vehicle registered to an address. When purchasing a new EV, the dealership will usually help you arrange this and may have an agreement in place with a provider. The grant is available to anyone who has purchased a new or second hand EV since 1st October 2016. As of 1st July 2019, all chargepoints installed must be smart units. There are many different chargepoints on the market so you can find the one that suits your needs best. Full details are available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/government-grants-for-low-emission-vehicles#electric-vehicle-homecharge-scheme
Offers 75% of cost (up to £500 per socket) for points at workplaces to enable employees to charge whilst at work. This can be used for all costs including groundworks, installation fees and the unit itself. There is no limit on the number of applications an organisation can make but the maximum number of sockets that can be installed is 20. Full details are available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/government-grants-for-low-emission-vehicles#workplace-charging-scheme
This grant supports the provision of EV chargepoints in residential areas with limited off-street parking provision in order to provide residents that cannot install their own chargepoint at home access to charging facilities near where they live. Local authorities must apply for the funding directly, and the fund is managed by the Energy Saving Trust on behalf of the Office for Low Emission Vehicles. The grant offers up to 75% of the capital costs of procuring and installing the chargepoint and dedicated parking bays, up to a maximum of £7,500 per chargepoint. There is no limit on the number of chargepoints that can be applied for. Full details here: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/government-grants-for-low-emission-vehicles#on-street-residential-chargepoint-scheme
Key Point: There are lots of grant schemes available to support charging of vehicles, and it is important that an authority can signpost businesses and potential owners to the various schemes that are out there. |
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