Government funded EV chargepoints to be 'smart' by July

All home EV chargepoints that are funded from the government's Electric Vehicle Homecharge Scheme must use innovative ‘smart’ technology from July, the government has announced.

Smart charging can reduce high peaks of electricity demands, minimising the cost of electric vehicles to the electricity system – and keeping costs down for consumers by encouraging off-peak charging. Smart chargepoints can also be remotely accessed, and capable of receiving, interpreting and reacting to a signal.

Alongside this the government has also announced that they have maintained grants to install chargepoints at home and in the workplace at their current level of up to £500.

Jesse Norman, Roads Minister, said: “The Government wants the UK to be the best place in the world to build and own an electric vehicle, and through leadership and innovation it is paving the way to a zero emission future.

“We have already supported the installation of over 100,000 home chargepoints. Now these measures will give more people the opportunity to make the move to electric.”

Automotive Minister Richard Harrington said: “Today’s measures will make it easier for consumers to move towards electric vehicles, helping us power towards a cleaner, greener future.

“Through our modern Industrial Strategy and Automotive Sector Deal, we are investing to ensure the UK is the leading destination for the innovation and manufacture of electric vehicle batteries and technologies to help all parts of the UK reap the economic benefits of these innovations.”

The Electric Vehicle Homecharge Scheme has supported the delivery of domestic chargepoints to consumers since 2014 and has delivered over 60,000 grants to date.