There’s never been a better time to invest in electric vehicle (EV) charging technology. All new build homes in England now require EV charging points and the demand for EV charging infrastructure at new property developments is increasing
With numerous financial and reputational benefits available and the ramp up to the 2035 Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) ban starting, developers that make the move today will establish themselves as sustainable pioneers and be investing in vital infrastructure that will serve them well into the future. Installing EV chargers at residential or commercial developments today has far-reaching benefits for a business and its customers in the future.
Developer requirements
With the introduction of the Part S regulation regarding infrastructure for the charging of electric vehicles in 2022, additional requirements were placed on developers to provide EV charging infrastructure for all new developments.
In most cases, this is likely to take the form of actual charging infrastructure, or in some cases (typically where the cost of installing physical charge points would be prohibitive), this may mean installing cable routing to enable EV charging infrastructure to be installed in the future. For some developers, this may feel like an additional obligation and an unwanted hassle; however, installing EV charging infrastructure is a significant opportunity for many developers.
“We’re experienced in managing EV projects from design to installation, as well as being able to give installations an accreditation by the Office for Zero Emission Vehicles (OZEV).”
The opportunity
The EV market continues to grow strongly for both battery electric vehicles (BEV) and plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEV) as drivers and businesses move towards more sustainable modes of transport. As of April 2023, there were more than 1m EVs (BEV and PHEV) on the road – just over 3% of the total vehicle stock in the UK.
A quarter of new vehicles being sold now come with a plug, meaning the proportion of total UK vehicles needing charging infrastructure is growing steadily and the introduction of quotas for the sale of new vehicles coming into effect from 2024 (22% of cars sold in 2024 must be fully zero emission) means this growth will start to accelerate.
To support this growth in charging needs, there is increasing regulation focused on ensuring there is sufficient volume and quality of public charging infrastructure available to support drivers, including initiatives such as the LEVI (Low-Emission Vehicle Infrastructure) Fund, the Rapid Charging Fund and the Public Charge Point regulation.
While there is significant investment in the public charging network, the majority of EV charging sessions in the UK (between two-thirds and four-fifths, depending on which report is used) are done at home and with drivers becoming increasingly knowledgeable on how to optimise the cost of charging, as well as becoming more conscious of how they’re using energy, and the importance of sustainability, providing a high quality EV charging experience can be a differentiator for developers.
How can E.ON help
At E.ON, we believe that any one plugging their car into an EV charger is plugging into an energy ecosystem. With our extensive knowledge of, and back-ground in, the energy industry, plus our range of residential and business energy solutions and tariffs, we know that ecosystem like no other.
Our experienced consultants are able to provide a holistic assessment of your requirements, giving an individual, futureproof charging solution that allows for available capacity on site and any associated solutions to increase or get the most out of what is available. We’re experienced in managing EV projects from design to installation, as well as being able to give installations an accreditation by the Office for Zero Emission Vehicles (OZEV).
Our charge points are backed by a comprehensive three-year product and workmanship warranty, together with operation and maintenance cover, protecting your investment. Our 24/7 call centre provides help and support for your residents whenever they need it. Our E.ON Home app enables users to set smart charging schedules, ensuring they are able to charge at the greenest and cheapest times, and also supports over-the-air upgrades when they’re available.
David Butters
UK Director
E.ON Drive
eondrivebusiness@eonenergy.com
www.eonenergy.com/business/commercial-ev-chargers.html
*Please note that this is a commercial profile.