Electric drivers could be left 'confused' following the introduction on new major rule changes, experts warn.
Back in June, new rules were introduced that made it mandatory that all electric car charge points must have a data connection which measures, records and transmits usage. The charge points must also be able to delay charging or slow it down during periods of high grid demands.
With this, they will be pre-configured to avoid charging during peak hours between 8am and 11am and 4pm and 10pm on weekdays, the Express reports.
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The aim is to ease the strain on the National Grid and ensure drivers are getting the best prices when charging their cars. This comes after an 18-month smart charging trial by Electric Nation, in which 700 EV drivers took part, and it was found that the majority charged their cars between 5pm and 7pm.
The introduction of smart charging, combined with time of use tariffs, would therefore provide the lowest-cost charge for EV owners and move demand away from peak hours.
However, drivers are warned that the growing popularity of electric vehicles is threatening to place significant pressure on the grid, with the estimation that every EV charged at home is the equivalent of adding a new house to the electricity network.
With this, a YouGov survey by Monta found a large proportion of EV owners appear to be confused over how the new smart charging legislation will affect them.
The results found that 44 percent of EV drivers were unsure what was meant by smart charging while a further 35 percent were unaware that the changes were better for the National Grid. As well as that, more than four in 10 EV drivers admitted they had no idea that smart charging was a cheaper way to “refuel” their vehicle, with 11 percent believing it was more expensive.
According to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), 190,000 EVs registered in the UK last year, with 280,000 EVs expected to be sold in 2022.
This is something which Alok Dubey, UK Country Manager at Monta, says the country cannot sustain.
He warned that while the move towards standardised charging was great, he feared that the confusion around the law would mean drivers may not access the benefits.
Mr Dubey added: “The expected proliferation of domestic charge points only adds further weight to the sense that more needs to be done to make EV owners and potential EV owners aware of the benefits of smart chargers.
“Otherwise they may be unpleasantly surprised by the restrictions on charge times imposed by the default pre-sets.
“The task could become even more confusing because so many public charging alternatives to home charging, such as those in supermarket car parks, workplaces and petrol station forecourts are, by their nature, not subject to default charging hours.
“At any other time we would be promoting and celebrating this legislation.
“The move towards standardised smart charging is great for UK EV drivers, as it means their charges have even less impact on the environment and their wallets.
“But right now, without any real clarification, many are going to be left confused as to why they’re being put off from charging their own vehicle as standard at 5pm.”
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