New driving law changes come at a 'crucial point' for electric car owners dealing with 'challenges'
The new driving laws were introduced earlier this week
GETTY
Massive new driving laws that were introduced earlier this week have been praised by experts who argue that it will help more people switch to electric cars.
The new rules will benefit electric car owners with “easier and more reliable public charging” after being approved by MPs on October 24.
It will ensure that prices across chargepoints are transparent and easy to compare, as well as having contactless payment capabilities.
A common complaint from drivers is that they need a number of apps to pay when using a range of chargers with different operators.
WATCH NOW: Labour's Steve Reed on electric car law changes
It is hoped the new laws will make it easier for Britons to easily find their nearest available charger by requiring chargepoint operators to open their data to drivers and EV map providers.
The data will also show drivers the charging speeds and let them check whether chargers are available and working.
Adam Hall, director of energy services at Drax Energy, praised the new regulations, saying it was coming at a “crucial point” in the transition to EVs.
He continued, saying: “It’s no longer just the early adopters who are making the switch.
“We’re in the mass adoption phase, where there’s a need to remove any obstacles and make the green transport transition as easy as possible for everyone.
“Until now, it’s fair to say that charging an EV at a public charging station hasn’t been without its challenges. EV drivers have had to deal with a whole range of tariffs.”
The new laws will also allow motorists to have access to free 24/7 helplines if they have any issues using the charging network.
There are more than 50,000 EV chargers around the UK, with estimates showing that 100,000 chargers should be installed by 2025 and the potential to meet the Government’s goal of 300,000 by the end of the decade.
Adam Hall added: “They’ve had to be ready to use a large number of payment apps, and they’ve had to cope with a lack of reliability and information about which chargers were working.
“Based on feedback from real public charging stations users, and with a lot of common-sense solutions, we welcome these new regulations.
“Ideally, the public charging experience should be as uniform and require as little thought as filling up your car with petrol or diesel does today – the new rules go some way to making this a reality.”
The UK has seen record levels of public charging infrastructure, with the network growing 42 per cent year-on-year.
Jesse Norman, technology and decarbonisation minister, said the new changes would make it easier for drivers to make the switch to electric.
He added that it would improve charging for existing drivers and ensure they don’t get ripped off by hidden fees.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:
The laws aim to make charging easier and quicker
PA
The Government also published its response to the Zero Emission Vehicle mandate consultation, which will require local transport authorities to produce local charging strategies.