As the United Kingdom steers toward a sustainable future, the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) has gained significant traction.
Central to this transition is the widespread availability and accessibility of EV chargers across the country.
In this blog post, we will delve into the technology behind EV chargers, explore their extensive reach, and analyze compelling case studies from prominent players like Tesla, Osprey, and BP Pulse, highlighting the UK’s commitment to green transportation.
EV Charger Technology
EV chargers encompass various types, each offering distinct charging speeds and compatibility.
In the UK, several charger variants are widely used:
- Slow Chargers (up to 3.6 kW): Often found in residential areas, these chargers are ideal for overnight charging and cater to plug-in hybrids or drivers who don’t require rapid charging.
- Fast Chargers (7 kW to 22 kW): These chargers are commonly available in public parking areas, shopping centers, and workplaces. They provide quicker charging times, making them suitable for drivers needing a charge during their daily activities.
- Rapid Chargers (50 kW and above): Located along major highways, rapid chargers offer substantial charging speeds, enabling swift top-ups for EV drivers embarking on long-distance journeys.
Availability of EV Chargers
The UK has made significant strides in expanding the availability of EV chargers, ensuring convenient access across the nation.
According to Zap-Map [4], a leading EV charging platform, there are over 35,000 connectors at more than 13,000 locations throughout the country. These chargers are positioned in diverse public spaces such as motorway service stations, shopping centers, parking lots, and residential areas, offering an extensive charging infrastructure for EV owners.
Case Studies
Tesla Supercharger Network
Spanning the UK, the Tesla Supercharger network comprises high-powered chargers strategically positioned along major travel routes, enabling long-distance travel for Tesla owners. These rapid chargers utilize Tesla’s proprietary technology, offering fast charging speeds and contributing to a seamless charging experience for Tesla drivers.
According to the UK government’s final report on electric vehicle charging market study, Tesla has the largest number of rapid charging devices in the UK [2]. There are currently over 25,000 public charging devices in the UK, with over 3,000 rapid charging devices. The number of public charging devices has increased by 30% since 2019.
Tesla’s Supercharger network is capable of delivering up to 250 kW of power per vehicle. This means that Tesla drivers can charge their vehicles up to 80% in just 40 minutes.
Tesla has opened up its Supercharger network to non-Tesla vehicles in the UK as part of a pilot scheme. The company has opened 15 Supercharger stations with 158 charge points across the UK1.
In addition to the Supercharger network, Tesla also offers Destination Charging in the UK. Destination Charging is a network of charging stations located at hotels, restaurants, and other popular destinations. These charging stations are designed to provide convenient charging options for Tesla drivers while they are away from home.
According to Ofgem’s case study on electric vehicle-to-grid (V2G) charging in the UK, by 2030, there could be almost 11 million EVs on the road. If 50% of these vehicles were V2G enabled, this would open up 22 TWh of flexible EV discharging capacity per year and could provide ~16GW of daily flexible capacity to the grid [3].
Osprey Charging
Osprey Charging, formerly known as Engenie, has emerged as a significant player in the UK’s EV charging market and is one of the fastest-growing electric vehicle (EV) rapid charging networks [10]. With a focus on rapid chargers, Osprey aims to provide reliable and convenient charging solutions. They collaborate with various partners to install chargers across public spaces, retail locations, and parking facilities. Osprey’s chargers support both CHAdeMO and CCS standards, catering to a wide range of EVs, and their user-friendly app facilitates a hassle-free charging experience.
The company has ambitious plans to double the current number of rapid charge points in the UK by 2024 with a £35 million investment commitment from Cube Infrastructure Fund II.
Osprey Charging has already installed rapid chargers at over 100 sites across the UK and plans to expand its network with over 100 Tritium fast chargers across 40 new charging destinations [11][12].
Osprey Charging offers a pay-as-you-go pricing model for its charging points [10]. The cost of charging is based on the amount of energy used and is priced at £0.30 per kWh. Osprey Charging also offers a subscription service called ‘Club Osprey’, which provides members with access to discounted charging rates and other benefits.
BP Pulse
BP Pulse, a subsidiary of BP, operates one of the largest EV charging networks in the UK. Formerly known as BP Chargemaster, they have established a comprehensive infrastructure with a mix of slow, fast, and rapid chargers.
BP Pulse places their chargers at BP petrol stations, retail sites, and public locations, ensuring widespread accessibility. Their network supports multiple charging standards, providing a reliable charging experience for EV drivers across the country.
BP Pulse is the largest public network of electric vehicle charging points in the UK [5]. The company operates more than 5,000 public charge points across the UK, including around 3,200 that are rapid and ultra-fast [6]. BP Pulse is planning to triple the size of its network by 2030 with a £1 billion investment in infrastructure [7].
According to Zap-Map’s survey on public electric vehicle charging networks in the UK, BP Pulse and Charge Your Car (also owned by BP) have been rated among the worst public electric vehicle charging networks in the UK [8].
In terms of statistics, BP Pulse offers more than 8,750 charging points across the UK [6]. The company’s charging points are accessible via either a pay-as-you-go ‘instant access’ scheme or a monthly subscription scheme, with charging points accessed via an RFID card or fob [9]. BP Pulse also offers best on-the-go rates, starting from £0.44kWh
Adoption in the UK
The adoption of EVs in the UK has witnessed remarkable growth, bolstered by the expanding charging infrastructure. According to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), in 2021, battery electric vehicle (BEV) registrations in the UK more than doubled compared to the previous year. This surge in EV adoption is supported by the robust network of chargers, which continues to expand, keeping pace with the increasing demand for electric vehicles.
Additionally, the UK government has played a pivotal role in promoting EV adoption and charger deployment.
Initiatives like the On-street Residential Chargepoint Scheme, Workplace Charging Scheme, and the Rapid Charging Fund have incentivized the installation of EV chargers, creating an environment conducive to sustainable transportation.
Number Plates
The green stripe on UK car number plates is an initiative by the UK government to raise awareness of electric vehicles (EVs) and incentivize motorists to switch to zero-emissions vehicles [13]. The green number plates were introduced in December 2020 as part of the UK Government’s “Road to Zero Emissions” initiative. The green stripe is a thick green bar down the side of the number plate, which distinguishes EVs from other vehicles [13][14].
The green number plates are designed to raise awareness of electric vehicles and incentivize motorists into making the switch to zero-emissions vehicles [13]. The green number plates can only be fitted to cars that produce zero tailpipe emissions, so only pure electric cars can benefit from them [14]. The UK government has also stated that the green number plates could “unlock” incentives from local authorities for EV drivers, such as access to bus lanes and free parking.
Conclusion
The United Kingdom’s commitment to sustainable transportation is evident in the extensive availability and adoption of EV chargers across the country. With prominent players like Tesla, Osprey, and BP Pulse driving innovation and collaboration, the UK’s charging infrastructure is well-positioned to cater to the growing demand for electric vehicles. As technology advances and government support continues, the UK’s journey toward a greener future will accelerate, paving the way for a cleaner and more sustainable transportation ecosystem.
References:
[1] Tesla Supercharger network open to other brands’ EVs | Electric fleet news
[2] Final report – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
[3] Case study (UK): Electric vehicle-to-grid (V2G) charging | Ofgem
[4] https://www.zap-map.com/live/
[5] https://network.bppulse.co.uk/
[6] https://www.bppulse.co.uk/
[7] https://www.bp.com/en/global/corporate/news-and-insights/reimagining-energy/electric-vehicles-update.html
[8] BP Pulse among ‘worst’ electric vehicle charge point providers. https://www.fleetnews.co.uk/news/latest-fleet-news/electric-fleet-news/2021/12/13/bp-pulse-among-worst-electric-vehicle-charge-point-providers
[9] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bp_pulse
[10] https://www.ospreycharging.co.uk/about-us
[11] Over 100 New Tritium Fast Chargers Added to the Osprey Charging Network in the United Kingdom. https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20211216005008/en/Over-100-New-Tritium-Fast-Chargers-Added-to-the-Osprey-Charging-Network-in-the-United-Kingdom
[12] Over 250 New Tritium Fast Chargers to Be Added to the Osprey Charging Network in the United Kingdom. https://www.globenewswire.com/en/news-release/2022/05/03/2434287/0/en/Over-250-New-Tritium-Fast-Chargers-to-Be-Added-to-the-Osprey-Charging-Network-in-the-United-Kingdom.html
[13] Green number plates for zero emission vehicles. https://www.gov.uk/government/news/green-number-plates-for-zero-emission-vehicles
[14] What you need to know about green number plates. https://www.autotrader.co.uk/content/advice/green-number-plates
[15] Green number plates explained. https://www.carwow.co.uk/blog/green-number-plates-explained
