UK’s first EV Consumer Code launched

The Electric Vehicle Consumer Code (“the Code”)  has been launched to show that domestic chargepoint installation businesses are reputable. Code membership also offers a model quotation, contract and warranty as well as access to alternative dispute resolution services if things should go wrong.
 
The Code builds on the experience and expertise of the team behind the Renewable Energy Consumer Code (RECC). RECC sets and enforces high standards giving confidence to consumers seeking to install home energy generating systems such as solar PV and battery storage. Both the Code and RECC are administered by Renewable Energy Assurance Limited (REAL).
 
There are currently around 1,000 businesses in the UK authorised to install domestic chargepoints through the Government’s EV Homecharge Scheme. One in four of these are also a RECC member. The number of installers operating in the market is expected to increase as the proportion of new electric car and van sales significantly rises in the early 2020’s.  Around 60% of car users in the UK have off-street parking available that would be suitable for home charging.
 
The launch of the Code follows the Government’s announcement in February that it intends to consult on bringing forward the date banning the sale of new internal combustion engine cars and vans from 2040 to 2035. To address industry concerns about achieving the level of infrastructure deployment needed to support this, the final report of the EV Energy Taskforce (published in January) proposed a range of actions to ensure that consumers are at the centre of the roll-out.
 
Virginia Graham OBE, Chief Executive of Renewable Energy Assurance Limited, said: “RECC has played a foundational role in enforcing high consumer protection standards in the small-scale renewable energy industry since 2006. We aim to extend the lessons learnt from that sector into the rapidly-growing world of EV home chargepoints.”