Did you knowSHIFT is taking the stage this fall?
But there are those in the media who are already peddling fear.
They also mentioned a randomized delay of up to 30 minutes if there is high demand from motorists.
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Before anyone starts panicking about Big Brother controlling their EV charging, take a breath.
Lets look at the actual facts in detail, as well as the questions they raise.
So how did we get here?
Now theyve written up the Governments policy response.
So its basically a case of heres what people said, and heres our response with a two-phase plan.
Im not going to summarise the whole document.
But the media mostly discusses the first phase.
It includes minimum standards around cyber security, interoperability, and grid stability all good stuff.
All ignored by the Daily Mail.
So lets break down the two big issues worrying everyone.
These are peak time restrictions and randomized display functions.
So, the risk of running out of energy on a motorway is not as great as many fear.
The much feared default off-peak mode would delay charging until a specified off-peak time.
Smart charge points will come pre-set to prevent automatic charging during peak times.
Peak times are 8 am to 11 am and 4 pm to 10 pm on weekdays.
However, the user must be able to edit or remove this setting.
This can accommodate night shift works and those already using smart tariffs.
Smart energy meters will be compulsory in UK homes by 2025.
However, local energy networks existed long before electric vehicles.
Theyre constantly expanding the use of wind and solar to meet customer demand and government targets.
In turn, were likely to see the acceleration of new innovation that maintains the integrity of the grid.
New office blocks will need to install a charge point for every five parking spaces.
The Government predicts that the mandate for home and office will begin in 2022.
Can home EV charging help accelerate EV adoption?
Ok, mandatory EV chargers are awesome.
But what if you live in an apartment building without a car park?
According to EV charger companyUbitricity,more than 60% of households in English citiesare without off-street parking.
This rises to 68% for people living in social housing.
For this substantial group, access to affordable street-based EV charging will be essential to enter the EV market.
Instead, they have introduced legislation and detailed to achieve these goals.
I never thought Id compliment a Tory government, but I come from Australia.
The Australian governments greatest environmental legacies areclimate inactionand itslove of coal.
The UK, in contrast, has a budget and plans to which it can be held accountable.
This yearsUnited Nations Climate Change Conference, aka COP26,is coming up soon.
It will be interesting to see how other countries EV charging commitments stack up.
Do EVs excite your electrons?
Do ebikes get your wheels spinning?
Do self-driving cars get you all charged up?
Story byCate Lawrence
Cate Lawrence is an Australian tech journo living in Berlin.
