PHEVs should be prevented from using rapid charge points

Only pure electric vehicles should be allowed to use rapid EV chargers, a new report by the RAC Foundation has said.

The Development of the UK Public Chargepoint Network report by Harold Dermott says that mosts PHEVs are not capable of being rapid charged; most can only accept up to around 3 kW from a charge point and will take 2-4 hours to recharge depending on model.

Therefore a PHEV at a rapid charger is preventing pure electric vehicles from charging, which depend on the 'fuel'.

The report says: "This blocking of Rapid chargepoints by PHEVs must be ended. If it becomes widespread, the CPN network of Rapid chargepoints would fail for two reasons: Rapid chargepoints would never be available for their essential purpose of charging BEVs, and the network operator’s income would collapse."

The report recommends that EVs should have sole access to rapid charge points as they are the only refuelling option, while PHEVs are capable of running on petrol or diesel power.

The report argues that untill plug-in hybrids have both a greater electric-only range and can accept electricity at a faster rate, chargepoints at motorway service areas should be reserved solely for battery-only cars.

Steve Gooding, director of the RAC Foundation, said: “Ever-faster and more powerful chargepoints might sound like the answer to creating the electric car recharging network we need, but if the cars themselves can only be recharged at a certain rate then at best we’re going to be disappointed and at worst we’re going to waste money. Compatibility between car and charger is key.

“In an area where policy, technology and the market are almost falling over themselves, such is the pace of change, communication between all parties is fundamental. Neither society nor drivers will reap all the potential rewards of greener transport if there is confusion about how it should best be delivered.

“However, there are good signs of progress. Even as we go to print some of the issues highlighted in the report are being addressed. Government is funding seventeen electric vehicle charging hubs through its Go Ultra Low Cities programme, and work is proceeding apace in both the Mayor for London’s chargepoint Task Force and the national Electric Vehicle Energy Taskforce.

“Ultimately, refuelling electric vehicles should be at least as convenient and fuss-free as filling up with petrol or diesel. As the report makes clear we may be on the right road but we are not there yet.”