Government plans to make EV charge points more accessible and convenient
News
26 Oct 2016
The Department for Transport is consulting on a series of measures that will make chargepoints more accessible, making it easier for drivers to recharge.
The measures, due to be included in the Modern Transport Bill, include ensuring drivers can access chargepoints without the need for multiple memberships from individual providers.
The proposals also aim to make information about the location of public charging stations more accessible to the public, potentially via an online database and through mobile phone apps.
The measures also call for more powers to set common standards for all public chargepoints to ensure electric car owners can recharge anywhere, anytime, as well as making consumer pricing information for electricity and hydrogen fuels consistent and transparent.
Supporting ‘smart’ electric vehicle charging that is flexible to grid demands is also proposed, as well as providing electric chargepoints and hydrogen refuelling points at large fuel retailers and motorway service areas.
Lastly there are plans to encourage the roll-out of hydrogen refuelling stations through franchising.
The Modern Transport Bill, first announced in the Queen’s Speech in May, will outline the role technology and innovation will play in delivering the safe, efficient and user focused transport systems of the future. The bill is due to be laid in Parliament next year.
The Department for Transport is also consulting separately on the proposed transposition of the Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Directive; Europe-wide legislation that will further promote the roll-out of charging facilities for vehicles that run on electricity, hydrogen and other clean fuels.
The Modern Transport Bill consultation on measures for low emission vehicle infrastructure will last four weeks, closing on 23 November.
