Despite ongoing supply issues, the plug-in vehicle population is growing at a record pace in the UK, and the demand doesn’t look to be slowing any time soon. In fact, there were twice as many plug-in hybrid and electric vehicles on our roads in June 2021 compared to the end of 2019.
With most EV charging likely to take place at home, the Government is taking steps to make sure the electrical grid can keep up with demand.
Totally Fake - The 35 Most Fake Reality Shows People Actually Believed Were RealArticlesmansion
On the 30th of June, smart charging regulations for electric vehicles in the UK are coming into force. The automotive experts at Leasing Options have uncovered three key points that EV drivers need to know about the new smart charging regulations.
Read More:Huge classic car show to return to popular Derby park
1. All new charge points must have this important feature
All new charge points must have a data connection, and they must have the ability to measure, record and transmit usage, both in minutes and as units of energy.
The connection must also be able to delay charging or slow it down during periods of high grid demand. Charge point manufacturers will also have to provide a user interface for drivers, such as an app.
2. New charge points will be pre-configured to avoid charging in peak hours
Designed to encourage smarter behaviour, new EV charge points will be pre-configured to avoid charging during peak hours (8-11am and 4-10pm on weekdays).
This is aimed at lightening the load on the grid – the only exceptions are units that are configured to respond to periods of high demand, based on intelligence from energy suppliers.
It’s worth remembering that peak-time charging isn’t being banned. EV drivers can choose not to accept the factory presets and override these settings, even if controlled remotely.
They can also set their own charging schedules to take advantage of cheaper overnight tariffs – functionality that not all plug-in vehicles have built-in.
3. Charging will randomly defer off-peak charging sessions by ten minutes
As part of their 18-month smart charging trial which involved 700 drivers, Electric Nation noted a surge in electricity demand at 10pm as charge points came online after peak hours.
In order to avoid this, new units will randomly defer off-peak charging sessions by ten minutes, and allow utility companies to extend this to half an hour if grid demand is high.
Why do chargepoints need regulating?
According to National Grid Group, the actual capacity for EV charging isn’t as big a problem as most people might think. Thanks to even more solar panels being installed and people using more energy-efficient appliances, peak demand for power reduced by 16% between 2002 and 2020.