New driving law changes to have huge impact on electric car owners and chargepoints
The new law changes will make it easier for drivers to find chargers
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New driving law changes have been unveiled in a bid to make charging easier for electric car drivers around the UK.
After being approved by MPs last night, the new rules will ensure that prices across chargepoints are transparent and easy to compare.
It will also ensure that a large proportion of new public chargepoints have contactless payment options.
Chargepoint operators will be required to open up their data so drivers can easily find an available charger to meet their needs.
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This will allow access to the data for apps, online maps and in-vehicle software, with drivers now having an easier experience to charge their vehicles.
Under the new rules, the data will show charging speeds and allow the driver to check whether the chargers are working and available.
Technology and Decarbonisation Minister Jesse Norman praised the new regulations, saying it will have a huge upside to net zero goals.
He added: “Over time, these new regulations will improve EV charging for millions of drivers, helping them find the chargepoints they want, providing price transparency so that they can compare the cost of different charging options, and updating payment methods.
“They will make the switch to electric easier than ever for drivers, support the economy and help the UK reach its 2035 goals.”
According to Zapmap, there are more than 50,000 chargers across the UK, having reached the milestone at a charger in Weston-super-Mare.
Estimates show that the UK should install its 100,000th charger in 2025, with many experts still hoping that 300,000 chargers will be operational by the end of the decade.
Drivers will now also have access to free 24/7 helplines if they have any issues using the network of chargers on public roads.
James Court, CEO of Electric Vehicle Association England, said: “Better reliability, clearer pricing, easier payments, plus the potentially game-changing opportunities of open data are all a major step forward for EV drivers and should make the UK one of the best places to charge in the world.
“As the rollout of charging infrastructure gathers momentum, these regulations will ensure quality and help put consumers needs at the heart of this transition.”
This follows the Government’s “Plan for Drivers”, which pledged to speed up the installation of chargers and ensure drivers never have to travel far to refuel.
Applications are also open for the first round of the £381million Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (LEVI) Fund.
This will help to deliver tens of thousands more chargepoints across the UK, both at charging stations and for those without off-street parking.
The Government has reaffirmed its commitment to the transition to electric cars by 2035, with the rollout of the Zero Emission Vehicle mandate.
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The UK installed its 50,000th charger earlier this month
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Car manufacturers will require 80 per cent of new cars and 70 per cent of new vans sold in Great Britain to be zero emission by the end of the decade.