- Public charging in areas with energy grid constraints or without connection to the energy grid at all could be about to take a step forward, with the UK government announcing a new £10 million fund towards a new technology that could enable EV chargers to run off the grid.
- The technology could speed up the rate of public charging infrastructure on major strategic roads such as A-roads and Motorways, whilst also allowing increased EV charger rollout across more rural areas.
- This new support from the government comes as it works towards a target of 300,000 public chargers across the UK by 2030.
UK government backs off-grid public charging technology
With the government announcing this £10 million worth of funding, businesses with possible solutions to question are invited to apply for funding through the following page. Potential solutions could include battery storage systems, much like the type already being integrated by InstaVolt at some of its own locations, as well as solar power generation. Both of these have a focus on renewables, and could work out cheaper and faster to roll out than the more costly process of building additional grid connections. This technology would be targeted at locations with high grid constraints, where current grid capacity is potentially hindering EV charge point rollout.
There are several criteria funding applicants must meet to be eligible for part of this £10 million fund. Potential projects must focus on ultra-rapid charging (150kW+) rather than lower-power solutions, and enable at least 12 EVs to have simultaneous access to such charging speeds.
The news is yet another EV charging-related announcement from the government, following last week’s news that it would cut the so-called ‘red tape’ on EV charging, making it easier for people to install cross-pavement charging solutions near their home.
Minister for Aviation, Maritime and Decarbonisation Minister, Keir Mather, commented:
“We’re powering up the future of driving with £10 million for cutting-edge tech to get more chargepoints on motorways and major A-roads.
With over 25,000 drivers already switching to electric thanks to our discounts of up to £3750, we’re backing British innovation, boosting jobs and making EV travel easier than ever.”
Claire Spooner, director of mobility, Innovate UK, added:
“Launching this competition, Innovate UK will test new approaches to the EV charging power challenges on England’s strategic road network, especially in rural areas. The programme’s outcomes will build capability and bring together energy and transport stakeholders to improve EV charging for longer journeys.”
