- The Public Charge Point Regulations 2023 introduce stringent requirements to enhance the user experience, including 99% uptime across the network.
- Despite significant progress in the installation of public EV charge points, 70% of EV drivers remain dissatisfied[1], underscoring the challenges faced by Charge Point Operators (CPOs).
- As global commitments push for zero-emission vehicles, CPOs must navigate complex regulatory landscapes and operational hurdles to meet increasing demand and regulatory standards.
Charge Point Operators have a crucial role supporting the UK’s fast-paced electric vehicle transition, and the Government is acutely aware of that importance.
The Public Charge Point Regulations 2023 introduce strict new standards for a seamless customer experience, with a January 2026 deadline[2]. But will these regulations help, or hinder, CPOs’ progress?
An attractive growth segment
Global commitments to net-zero emissions are driving the shift towards EVs. The Paris Agreement aims is targeting net zero CO2 emissions by 2050, and transport—which accounts for one-third of greenhouse gas emissions[3] — is a priority.
Policymakers and OEMs are supporting this transition:
Accelerating to Zero Coalition: Committing to 100% of new cars and vans being zero-emission 2040, or 2035 in “leading markets” [4].
Government Deadlines: The UK will end sales of new combustion-engine cars and vans (including hybrids) by 2035 [5] – a deadline shared by the EU, Canada and 13 US states [6, 7, 8]. In Norway, the target for cars is 2025[9].
Manufacturer Strategies: Ford[10], Mercedes-Benz[11], and Volvo[12] have pledged to phase out new combustion engine vehicles in Europe by 2030, with Audi following by 2033[13]. Battery pack prices fell 82% between 2013 to 2023, with an additional 42% decrease projected by 2030 [14].
The direction is clear; global EV sales are projected to rise from 10 million in 2023 to 51 million by 2035, according to the IEA [15].
What does this mean for CPOs?
Public charging infrastructure is a common bugbear for EV drivers. A recent McKinsey’s survey found 70% were dissatisfied, citing insufficient coverage and long waiting times as their biggest concerns[1]. Although the network grew at record pace during 2023, the UK fell short of its goal to install six rapid chargers at every motorway service station by the end of the year [16].
Electric vehicle owners are open about their experiences. Zap-Map’s 2023 survey [17] ranked Fastned as the UK’s best charging network, praised for reliability and ease of use, while MFG EV Power and Osprey Charging follow, noted for their high-speed charging hubs. Large networks like BP Pulse and GeniePoint lagged, due to reliability issues.
CPOs, who are already managing many behind-the-scenes relationships, are under growing pressure to expand and keep EV drivers mobile, while building a reputation that can help them stand out in an increasingly competitive market. Reliability is key, as highlighted during an interview between Toddington Harper, CEO of Gridserve and Fully Charged’s Robert Llewellyn[18]. After acquiring the Electric Highway, GridServe swiftly upgraded outdated infrastructure, restoring trust among EV drivers by improving uptime.
What will the regulations require?
The Public Charge Point Regulations 2023 are designed to improve the charging experience, and require CPOs to meet the following requirements:
- 99% uptime for rapid chargers and 24/7 driver helplines.
- Transparent pricing and payment options including contactless payment for chargers over 8kW and roaming deals with third parties.
- Real-time information on charger status, to enhance journey planning.
What do you see as the challenges ahead?
To find out more, we’re surveying stakeholders about their experiences and the incoming challenges.
Tell us what you think here:
For Charge Point Operators
For EV Drivers
Please leave your email if you’d like to receive the survey results.
REFERENCES:
[1] McKinsey & Company (2024) Exploring consumer sentiment on electric vehicle charging. Available at: https://www.mckinsey.com/features/mckinsey-center-for-future-mobility/our-insights/exploring-consumer-sentiment-on-electric-vehicle-charging (Accessed: 21 June 2024).
[2] UK Government (2023) The Public Charge Point Regulations 2023. Available at: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukdsi/2023/9780348239532 (Accessed: 21 June 2024).
[3] International Energy Agency (n.d.) Transport. Available at: https://www.iea.org/energy-system/transport (Accessed: 21 June 2024).
[4] Accelerating to Zero Coalition (n.d.) The Declaration. Available at: https://acceleratingtozero.org/the-declaration/ (Accessed: 21 June 2024).
[5] UK Government (2023) Pathway for zero-emission vehicle transition by 2035 becomes law. Available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/pathway-for-zero-emission-vehicle-transition-by-2035-becomes-law (Accessed: 21 June 2024)
[6] European Commission (2022) European Green Deal: EU agrees new law to cut CO2 emissions from cars and vans by 100% by 2035. Available at: https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_22_6462 (Accessed: 21 June 2024).
[7] Transport Canada (n.d.) Canada’s zero-emission vehicle sales targets. Available at: https://tc.canada.ca/en/road-transportation/innovative-technologies/zero-emission-vehicles/canada-s-zero-emission-vehicle-sales-targets (Accessed: 21 June 2024).
[8] California Air Resources Board (n.d.) States that have adopted California’s vehicle regulations. Available at: https://ww2.arb.ca.gov/our-work/programs/advanced-clean-cars-program/states-have-adopted-californias-vehicle-regulations (Accessed: 21 June 2024).
[9] Norsk Elbilforening (n.d.) Norwegian EV policy. Available at: https://elbil.no/english/norwegian-ev-policy (Accessed: 21 June 2024).
[10] Ford Motor Company (n.d.) Ford Europe goes all-in on EVs. Available at: https://corporate.ford.com/articles/electrification/ford-europe-goes-all-in-on-evs.html (Accessed: 21 June 2024).
[11] Mercedes-Benz (n.d.) Mercedes-Benz: Electrification. Available at: https://mercedes-benz-media.co.uk/en-gb/releases/1431 (Accessed: 21 June 2024).
[12] Volvo Cars (2021) Volvo plans to be fully electric by 2030. Available at: https://www.volvocars.com/uk/news/electrification/volvo-plans-to-be-fully-electric-by-2030/ (Accessed: 21 June 2024).
[13] Audi AG (n.d.) Electrification. Available at: https://www.audi.com/en/sustainability/environment-resources/electrification.html (Accessed: 21 June 2024).
[14] BloombergNEF (2020) Lithium-ion battery pack prices hit record low of $139/kWh. Available at: https://about.bnef.com/blog/lithium-ion-battery-pack-prices-hit-record-low-of-139-kwh/ (Accessed: 21 June 2024).
[15] International Energy Agency (2024) Global EV data explorer. Available at: https://www.iea.org/data-and-statistics/data-tools/global-ev-data-explorer (Accessed: 21 June 2024).
[16] RAC (2023) Government fails to hit motorway services’ high-power EV charger target by end of 2023. Available at: https://media.rac.co.uk/pressreleases/government-fails-to-hit-motorway-services-high-power-ev-charger-target-by-end-of-2023-3295112 (Accessed: 21 June 2024).
[17] Zap-Map (2023) Best en-route charging networks 2023/24. Available at: https://www.zap-map.com/news/best-en-route-charging-networks-2023-24 (Accessed: 21 June 2024).
[18] Fully Charged Show (2023) Leading the Charge with Toddington Harper. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U5TIIH29gjc (Accessed: 21 June 2024).
