NewMotion and Swedish energy group Vattenfall have signed a new roaming agreement to improve electric vehicle drivers’ UK charging options.

Due to start in September, the agreement will see the companies offer access to over 400 public charging points operated around the UK via a single app or charge card. Both companies are looking into the possibility to expand the partnership further.

There are approximately 25,000 public charging points currently in the UK, of which only a small minority are open to roaming agreements. Drivers of electric vehicles need several apps and charge cards to be able to have access to charge points of different operators. Roaming agreements prevent drivers from having to hold multiple payment cards and subscriptions and help to minimise range anxiety.

Anthony Hinde, director of InCharge, Vattenfall’s electric vehicle charging business in the UK, said: “The UK EV driver experience has just got that little bit simpler. What is the norm in many European countries – seamless, simple, flexible public charging options as a result of roaming agreements between operators – is still a rarity in the UK. Our agreement with NewMotion is therefore an important step forward and will encourage the uptake of EVs in the UK.”

Sytse Zuidema, CEO of NewMotion: “Access to good charging infrastructure is a key consideration for drivers before they make the switch to driving an electric vehicle. Roaming agreements between charge point operators help to create a charging network where it’s easy to charge at any provider’s charge point. With this roaming agreement we both take the lead in creating a wider accessible charging network and make it easier for EV drivers to connect to the charging infrastructure in the UK. We welcome Vattenfall’s EV drivers to our charging network, which is already Europe’s largest network with over 118,000 charge points in more than 30 countries.”