Back in November 2021, former Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced that all new homes required EV home charging points to be installed and predicted at least 145,000 charging points throughout the UK.
EV Home Charger Concerns
However, although the focus on the EV infrastructure is important and the demand for charging facilities across the UK is vital going forward, there are certain industries that have opposed this policy. Construction firms argued their case, stating that there are a number of factors that can cause problems with EV charging point installations. These efforts have been slated by Transport & Environment, calling them “blatant lobbying efforts”.
Yet, who is right in this situation? Though carbon-free driving solutions should always be prioritised to help lower the planet’s carbon emissions, are EV home charging points the answer? Or, are there other portable chargers that should be considered alternatively?
Cost Concerns
Building companies that are featured in the FTSE 100 list, including Barratt Developments, Berkeley Group and Taylor Wimpey, have cited their concerns with costs. Extra expenses will have to be considered when it comes to EV home charging points and their installation. This, as a result, may affect how many homes companies will be able to build, due to an increase in resources and costs for each home.
Barratt has made their concerns public, stating that these chargers may cost up to £63m, which is a major setback. Instead of mandatory charging points, which may not be utilised, drivers should consider charging their electric vehicles at other locations. Not only will this affect their driving experience, but it will also cut down on costs for building companies, so they can roll out more homes in development contracts.
Safety Risks
Certain housebuilders are concerned that the EV chargers may have a risk of electric shocks. Depending on how often drivers need to utilise EV home charging points, there is a chance of overpowering the grid and wasting valuable energy costs. This, along with the risk of electric shocks, leads to financial problems and safety concerns.
Better EV Charging Locations
So, if drivers cannot charge their electric vehicles at home, where else is there? Workplace charging is ideal for commuters that have no time. Instead of going out of their way to find public charging stations, where there can be long waiting times, EV drivers should consider portable EV chargers whilst they are in the office.
Simply, leave their vehicle charged and come back at the end of the working day to a fully charged vehicle. It is the same as overnight charging at home, with a Level 1 charger, however, this can be included as a workplace expense.
Businesses should consider hiring portable EV chargers for their guests, customers and employees. For their staff, this can be an appealing incentive, either for them to apply for the job in the first place, or as a reward for the most sales. It also publicises your company as having eco-friendly morals and puts you on the map on apps such as ZapMap, which shows drivers EV charging points near them.
Elite EV Charge
At Elite, we provide temporary and permanent EV charging solutions for drivers and businesses. Instead of relying on EV home charging points, why not utilise our portable chargers that provide charging facilities in both remote and off-grid locations? Whether this is for event charging, for occasions such as music festivals, or overnight destination charging. Elite is here to help!
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