New electric vehicle drivers are being urged to start installing home chargers as soon as possible ahead of the upcoming licence plate changes next week.
With roughly 50,000 new EVs set to hit the roads in March as the new “24” registration plates are rolled out, drivers are cautioned about the impact this will have on charging availability.
By installing home charging ports, motorists could save between £92 and £138 a month, according to EV company Cord.
While most EVs come with chargers that can plug into regular outlets, these can be dangerous in rare instances, Cord said.
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Last March was the biggest month ever for EV sales in the UK
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Installing a charger usually takes a few hours, but complex surveying and regulatory requirements mean the process of scheduling an installation can take much longer to organise.
Experts from Cord have warned that the rapid influx of new electric vehicles will “put pressure on the national network” of chargers.
Paul Tomlinson, co-founder at Cord, said: “Last March was the biggest month ever for EV sales in the UK, with the new ‘23’ reg plates and an end-of-quarter Tesla push driving a huge surge in sales.
“We think this year will likely surpass that – meaning at least 50,000 new EV drivers looking to install a home charger at the same time.”
The new “24” stamped vehicle number plates are set to be rolled out in March with the UK welcoming the latest generation of models.
Tomlinson added: “It’s fantastic that so many more Brits are getting into cleaner cars, but it’s essential that their first month of driving isn't marred by sky-high public charging costs while they wait for a charger to be installed, or forced working from home as they can’t afford to commute.
“If you’re planning to buy an EV yourself, it’s a great idea to get ahead of the pack and book a charger installation now.
“Cord completes the majority of installations within two weeks of home survey – offering a fast and hassle-free experience. Nine of ten installation come standard with no additional costs.”
The number of electric cars in the UK is growing at a rapid rate. As of January 2024, there are now approximately one million fully electric cars on UK roads and a further 600,000 plug-in hybrids.
According to Zapmap, in January 14.7 per cent of all new car registrations were electric cars, with 20,935 new electric cars registered.
The proportion of all new cars sold in January that were either fully electric or plug-in hybrid was 23.1 per cent, while almost 33,000 new cars with a plug were registered in the UK.
Last year saw the biggest annual increase in the number of electric van registrations, with over 20,000 electric vans registered, showing a growth of 21 per cent since 2022.
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The rapid influx of new electric vehicles will “put pressure on the national network” of chargersPAPublic charging stations attract a VAT rate of 20 per cent, prompting drivers and industry leaders to demand a change to rules to cut prices for those who cannot charge at home.
David Martell, CEO of premium home charging brand Andersen EV, spoke to GB News about what needs to change to ensure motorists have the facilities required to get an electric car.
He said: “En-route rapid charging is very expensive, not because operators are necessarily profiteering but because of a number of differing factors, including a rate of 20 per cent VAT compared with just five per cent at home.”