Government Boosts Charging Point Network for EV

The Electric Vehicle (EV) network of charging points is set for a boost after the Government announced £2.5 million in funding to go towards installation.

A move clearly designed to react to increased demand – there are now approximately 220,000 plug-in vehicles on the road, according to nextgreencar.com – there is gathering momentum behind your next purchase being an electric one in the car market.

Proposals are in place to ban the sale of new fossil fuel vehicles by 2040, with calls for that to be brought forward,

So, what do you need to know about electric vehicles (EV)?

There are three main EV charging speeds; slow, fast and rapid charging. Best suited for overnight and on the driveway, the slow charging option (up to 3kW) takes between six and eight hours to charge. For fast charging, the speed is 7-22kW and your battery will be fully charged in three to four hours. Then there is the rapid charging speed (43-50kW) which provides 80% charge in 30 minutes, an ideal speed if you are stopping at a motorway services on a long journey.

Just how popular are they now?

In the first half of 2014, there were around 500 electric cars registered per month; by 2018, there were an average of 5,000 being registered. That is a rise of 1,000% in a four-year period. Currently, the major player in the market is the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV, which has consistently out-sold its rivals over the last four years, with the Nissan Leaf coming second and a BMW version selling well in recent times.

Are there enough charging points?

Probably the most popular complaint, or cause for concern, is the lack of consistent charging points available across the country. However, there are nearly 25,000 UK charge points, with Government plans to fund over 1,000 more on-street installations over the coming years as it tries to push on towards its net zero emissions target by 2050.

What is the range of an EV?

Well, it depends on the make, model and size of the vehicle as to how far it will take you before needing a recharge. What Car? tested a range of vehicles, with results showing some sitting at 120 miles, while the best performing would take you nearly 260 miles before running out of juice.

Take a look at the next greencar website to find out plenty more about the EV market.

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