What does EV charger regulation mean for drivers?
The number of electric vehicles on our roads is increasing rapidly, even with the current supply shortages. That’s drawing increasing attention from regulators around the world who want to ensure that protections are in place for consumers, businesses and public infrastructure.
The transition to electric vehicles presents challenges, such as how will we double the supply of electricity as required to match predicted EV demand, and what happens if there’s a blackout.
We wouldn’t blame any EV enthusiast for being a little tired of hearing these questions, but as EV ownership drives itself into the mainstream, it’s right to ensure that the industry will remain sustainable.
Britain is taking the lead in this area, with the introduction of the Electric Vehicles (Smart Charge Points) Regulations 2021, which come into force on the 30th June 2022. From this point, any home or workplace charger for sale must be “smart”, which means the device would need to be able to be managed remotely via an Internet connection.
What does this mean for EV drivers?
If you’re buying a new charger in Britain, the regulation will apply, whether it’s online, in-store, direct from your installer or with your vehicle purchase. You shouldn’t need to check for compliance as that is the responsibility of the business selling the device to you.
The rules do not apply retrospectively to chargers sold before this date and there is no requirement to upgrade your existing charger if it’s not “smart”. However, you can still enjoy the benefits of smart charging with the ev.energy app, which allows you to unlock the cheapest and greenest energy to charge with by connecting a compatible vehicle instead.
Be sure to keep your ev.energy app up to date to enjoy all the latest features, including setting a smart schedule and connecting your PV panels for EV charging with solar power.
Smart charging benefits our energy grids too
As well as the benefits for drivers, smart charging also helps utility companies and electricity networks to “balance” the demand across their network by switching chargers on/off in real-time, which prevents annoying and costly issues such as blackouts and emergency repairs while still ensuring a full charge for drivers.
The changes mean that EV charging will become more predictable and can be balanced with energy from renewable sources, such as solar and wind power, in real-time. That’s cheaper and greener for everyone.
The British regulations also include protection for consumers, such as ensuring that smart functionality in home and workplace chargers will continue to work even if you switch energy providers, which is common practice in the UK’s competitive energy market.
Working in Britain’s EV Charging industry (or just really curious about the new regulations)? Check out the complete guide to Smart Charge Point Regulations from our experts.
EV charging enters a new era
The regulation changes in Britain will usher in a new era for EV charging, making it smarter than ever before. And this is just the beginning, as the rules are likely to evolve quickly.
Meanwhile, regulators across Europe, North America and beyond are watching closely to see the impact of Britain’s new requirements before implementing similar rules.
Overall, increasing the number of connected chargers will unlock more possibility, choice and control for drivers than ever before. From smart charging with the cheapest, greenest energy, to connecting your charging with your solar panels or wind turbines, and managing it all remotely – the future is smart.
Become a driver of change. Download the ev.energy app from the App Store or Google Play today.
