Nearly half of councils achieve EV charger compliance
Nearly half (47%) are fully compliant with the new UK Government Public Charge Point Regulations (PCPR), according to research from Drax Electric Vehicles.
Drax contacted 210 local authorities across the UK with more than one in five (21%) who responded admitting to zero compliance, while fifty local authorities cited challenges, such as funding gaps and technical hurdles.
It follows the PCPR regulations coming into force on 24 November 2024 to ensure that the experience of consumers using public charge points across the UK is consistent and positive.
Fresh regulations include new public charge points of 8kW+, and all existing charge points of 50kW+ supporting contactless payment. They must also ensure 99% reliability for rapid charge points, and provide a free-to-use 24/7 helpline. In addition, there must use the Open Charge Point Interface (OCPI) for greater accessibility. From 2025, charge point operators will also be required to allow drivers to connect via at least one roaming provider.
There was regional disparity too from the findings, with England leading the charge on 56% of local authorities fully complying, in Wales it was 43%, and in Scotland just 24%.
More than two-fifths (42%) of councils reported specific challenges that hindered their ability to achieve full compliance. These challenges included technical difficulties in adapting older charge points to support contactless payment systems due to outdated hardware systems and complexity with signal strength, insufficient funding for necessary infrastructure upgrades, and issues with managing the reliability of charge points and associated helpline services.
As the next PCPR deadline approaches, Drax Electric Vehicles is now calling for increased collaboration between councils, the private sector, and the UK Government.
Director of Energy Services at Drax Electric Vehicles, Adam Hall, said:
“These findings highlight both progress and opportunity. Councils are working hard to modernise their EV infrastructure, but barriers continue to exist.
“Bridging these gaps is essential to not only build confidence in the UK’s EV growing market but also help make the transition smoother for businesses and fleets who rely on a reliable public charging network. For UK businesses, a dependable public charging network is critical for fleet operations and long-range efficiency.
“While we’re helping businesses install reliable EV chargers at their sites, public infrastructure must also keep pace. PCPR compliance ensures EV drivers have access to dependable charging options, no matter where they are.”
Head of Sales at Drax Electric Vehicles, Naomi Nye, added:
“The regional differences highlight the need for greater collaboration and support to ensure that no council is left behind in building a robust charging network.
“While compliance is not yet universal, the transparency and proactive engagement in addressing these issues are commendable. Businesses can be reassured that efforts to strengthen the network are underway.”
“Achieving compliance is just the beginning. For businesses and fleets, the priority must also be on future-proofing the UK’s EV infrastructure.
“Collaborative solutions today will ensure that fleets have access to an inclusive and resilient charging network.”
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