Jordan Brompton, co-founder and CMO of myenergi, explores the latest advances in cross-pavement charging solutions, and explains why regulatory change is vital to improving access for drivers without off-street parking.

According to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), the UK’s transition to electrification is accelerating fast. In October alone, 43,634 new plug-in cars – EV and plug-in hybrid – were registered nationwide, some 30% of total sales.

To date in 2024, almost half a million plug-in vehicles have already been registered (438,508), representing a 16% year-on-year rise, while petrol and diesel sales have both fallen (-1.8% and -12.8% respectively). This means that, within the past four weeks, we’ve officially surpassed the UK’s 2,000,000th plug-in car registration milestone.

Rather than a bubble set to burst, the mass transition to electrification is now inevitable. Indeed, by 2030, the Energy Saving Trust (EST) estimates that UK roads will play host to between 8 and 11 million electric or hybrid cars. By 2035, this number will have likely doubled.

Is the UK’s charging infrastructure keeping up?

The development of public and private charging is progressing at a remarkable rate. According to Zapmap, there were 71,459 public charging points operational across the UK as of the end of October, comprising 108,633 connectors across 36,060 locations. This represents an increase of more than 38% year-on-year, with 30,815 (43%) devices classified as either fast, rapid or ultra-rapid.

But that’s not all. Data from ChargeUK suggests that, when combined with private and destination charging, there are now more than a million devices operational nationwide.

As a result of this collective progress, an estimated 15 billion UK miles are now powered by electricity per annum. What’s more, thanks to the rise of smart devices, solar compatible technologies and renewable energy charging stations, an increasing number are powered entirely by renewable energy. It’s a truly monumental shift that’s been achieved in a short space of time and one that will define the industry for years to come.

Concerns over infrastructure and access to charging are quickly becoming yesterday’s news. EV infrastructure is clearly racing ahead, with ChargeUK stating that there is around £6 billion of private capital ready to be invested to meet the need.

But what about on-street charging?

While the reliability and convenience of using the public charging network is now enshrined in law, there is arguably still work to be done to ensure that public charge points are as accessible as possible for all drivers, including via the PAS 1899 guidelines on accessibility.

Many users of the public charging network will be from the estimated 40% of  households that lack dedicated off-street parking. Historically, these drivers have been considered out-of-scope for home charging, as well as the benefits of cheaper energy tariffs and charging convenience.

However, thanks to advances in cross-pavement charging solutions, this could all be set to change. Companies like Kerbo Charge have created innovative solutions to allow homes without driveways to charge on-street with ease. Kerbo Charge’s unique charging channels, which are effectively flexible cable gullies, are sunk into the pavement between the property and the street, providing a simple, safe and secure way to connect to a home charger.

Thanks to a partnership between myenergi and Kerbo Charge, EV owners can now arrange for an access channel to be fitted in combination with our zappi EV charger in one package.

Why legislative change is key

Despite the terrific potential of cross-pavement charging solutions, however, there remains a catch. While every local authority in the UK provides a simple and standardised process for residents to apply for a dropped kerb, there isn’t yet a uniform approach to applying for a dedicated EV charging channel.

We believe that a standardised process should be available to enable households to apply for a dedicated EV charging channel quickly and simply. As such, we’re calling on the government to urgently publish guidance for local authorities on the use of safe cross pavement solutions, which was initially promised in its ‘Plan for Drivers’ published in 2023.

After all, in the 12 months since the report was published, more than half a million new plug-in cars have been registered, yet many local authorities remain unsure about how to enable these important new innovations.

The future’s bright

While we may have surpassed the UK’s two millionth plug-in car registration milestone, this is no time to be complacent. With the 2035 ban on new petrol and diesel car and van sales looming, removing further barriers to EV adoption remains pivotal to maintaining momentum in the UK’s transition to electrification.

Thanks to extensive progress from across the supply chain, EVs now boast state-of-the-art driving technologies, extensive battery ranges and low maintenance requirements – all at a more competitive price than ever before. What’s more, the public charging network is developing fast, as is the roll-out of home charging and destination charging, meaning range anxiety is quickly becoming a thing of the past.

The challenge, however, goes beyond convincing drivers to adopt EVs. Instead, it’s about ensuring they have access to the latest, smartest, cheapest and most convenient charging solutions critical to making the transition as equitable and accessible as possible.

With a lack of driveway access proving a barrier to EV adoption for some, companies like Kerbo Charge can provide the solution. However, legislative change is essential to make the whole process simple and uniform. That’s why, at myenergi, we’re calling for decisive government action – together, let’s make electrification easy.

Read more:
We need rapid rule changes to unlock on-street charging potential

The recent registration of the UK’s two-millionth plug-in vehicle is about a much wider success than just car sales, writes Jordan Brompton, co-founder and CMO of myenergi.

Earlier this week the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) released its new car registration data for October. Detailing the number of units sold during the month, the report breaks down transactional data into fuel type, purchase type and manufacturer split.

Importantly, a major milestone was silently reached during October – the official registration of the UK’s 2,000,000th plug-in car since modern records began in 2010 (when just 138 EVs were registered). This statistic alone puts the growth of electrification into stark contrast and demonstrates our monumental national progress towards a cleaner, greener, lower carbon car parc.

With the second plate change of the year having driven a significant uplift in vehicle registrations throughout September, it’s positive to see that this momentum has continued into October.

A total of 144,288 new cars were registered throughout the month. Of this total, 72,681 (50%) were petrol, 8,961 (6%) were diesel, 19,012 (13%) were hybrid and 43,634 (30%) were plug-in – combining battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and plug-in hybrids (PHEVs). Increasing 14% compared to October 2023, plug-in registrations have jumped by more than 16% so far in 2024, compared to the same 10-month period last year.

Shifting behaviours are also reflected by the individual performance of many vehicle manufacturers. While brands traditionally renowned for their internal combustion engine-powered vehicles, such as Abarth and Maserati, saw their market share eroded in October (by -15% and -62% respectively), many of the brands leading the way in electrification – including BYD – reported an impressive monthly performance (increasing 326%).

The devil’s in the data

On its own, this single, unremarkable registration is simply a flag bearing sign of extraordinary progress. However, it’s the supporting detail behind the transition to electrification that makes for impressive reading.

For example, according to Zapmap, there were 71,459 public charging points operational across the UK as of the end of October – 108,633 connectors across 36,060 accessible locations. This represents an increase of more than 38% year-on-year, with 30,815 (43%) devices classified as either fast, rapid or ultra-rapid.

But that’s not all. Data from Charge UK suggests that, when combined with private and destination charging, there are now more than a million devices operational nationwide. This is potentially a pessimistic calculation too, with 85% of all EV charging said to take place on the driveway. At myenergi alone, our zappi is responsible for more than 100,000 installed devices – upwards of one in every ten connections.

As a result of this collective progress, an estimated 15 billion UK miles are now powered by electricity per annum. What’s more, thanks to the rise of smart devices, solar compatible technologies and renewable energy charging stations, an increasing number are powered entirely by renewable energy. It’s a truly monumental shift achieved in a short space of time and one that will define the industry for years to come.

Concerns over infrastructure and access to charging are quickly becoming yesterday’s chip paper. Compared to the UK’s far more humble 8,353 petrol stations (both operational and under development), EV infrastructure is clearly racing ahead.

The future’s bright

While we may have surpassed the UK’s 2,000,000th plug-in registration milestone, this is no time for stepping back and celebrating. Progress must continue – and for good reason, too. If the industry maintains an incremental pace, we’re likely to see another 100,000 plug-in cars registered before the end of the calendar year. This snowball effect is important to accelerate UK’s transition to electrification.

When you add in the used EV market, which has grown by more than 50% year-on-year and is now responsible for more than 40,000 transactions every 12 weeks, the size of the opportunity is clear. Plug-in vehicles are quickly becoming the purchase of choice for discerning drivers and environmentally conscious businesses – and momentum is building.

As a result, by 2030, the Energy Saving Trust (EST) estimates that UK roads will play host to between eight and 11 million electric or hybrid cars, comprising 70% of all new car sales. By 2035, and the ban on the sale of all new petrol and diesel cars and vans, this number will have likely doubled.

This may sound a huge distance to travel from the two million plug-in cars registered today, but recent progress suggests that this target is not just achievable, but realistic. The positive news is that, as the EV market continues to grow, charging infrastructure is being developed at a pace to match.

By 2035, the vast majority of road miles will be electric and – if we at myenergi have anything to do with it – will likely be powered primarily by renewables too.

Read more:
Plug-in sales landmark is a sign of monumental progress

Jordan Brompton, co-founder and CMO of myenergi, explores the latest UK EV registration data, explains why rapid growth is a positive reflection of ever-growing consumer confidence, and debunks some of the most common barriers facing the transition to electrification.

According to data from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), 34,034 battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and 16,604 plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) were registered in June 2024, increasing 7.4% and 30% respectively, year-on-year (YOY). To date in 2024, almost 250,000 plug-in models have been sold in total across the UK, including 167,096 BEVs and 81,522 PHEVs, representing almost one in four new cars.

In comparison to diesel sales, which were down 17% compared to June 2023, and petrol sales, which plummeted 7.8% year-on-year in June, it’s clear that EV demand, which was up 9.2% YOY is quickly overtaking preference for internal combustion engines (ICE). But rather than a short-term trend, forecasts suggest that plug-in sales will continue to rise incrementally as we draw ever-closer to the 2035 ban.

Digging deeper into the stats, the fleet sector is driving momentum, with lease and business registrations up a staggering 21% YOY between January and June. This, alongside a booming second-hand marketplace, highlights a significant opportunity for the future.

Addressing the elephant in the room

So, the race is run and it’s game over for ICE vehicles, right? Well, not quite. While it’s absolutely true to suggest that attitudes are changing and demand for EVs is growing fast, the transition to electrification is still being hindered by myths, misconceptions and inaccurate information.

According to the results of a YouGov survey commissioned by the National Financed Dealers Association (NFDA), for example, 62% of survey respondents still considered EVs far too expensive, while 54% had concerns over their battery life and 57% faced reservations over insufficient charging infrastructure. As a result, some respondents admitted to not being interested in buying an EV full stop, while others said they would only consider purchasing if prices dropped considerably.

But are these concerns warranted? Is the transition still hampered by barriers, or do we simply need to debunk the myths and inaccuracies that come up time and time again? Personally, I think it’s the latter. After all, while concerns over cost, battery life, charging infrastructure and range were indeed areas that previously needed to be addressed, it’s safe to say that the industry has invested heavily and developed fast.

Today, plug-in vehicles are streets ahead of their ICE counterparts, both in terms of performance and technology. Add to this the environmental benefits, lower maintenance requirements and charging convenience, and it’s hard to see why anyone would want to cling on to more dated propulsion technologies. But to further ease concerns, let’s tackle the most common inaccuracies one at a time.

EVs are far too expensive

As Europe’s 2035 ban on petrol and diesel new car sales looms ever closer, vehicle manufacturers are diverting R&D spend away from their remaining ICE-powered models and into their next-generation EV line-ups, with many aiming to offer an exclusively BEV line-up before 2030.

While you may expect this investment to hit your finances hard, in reality EVs are far more affordable than you’d think. Especially considering, according to stats from the Finance & Leasing Association (FLA), that more than 90% of all new cars are now bought on finance.

But why is this relevant? Well, an MG ZS electric SUV would cost £26,000 to purchase outright, compared to £18,000 for the equivalent petrol alternative. While this may indeed seem remarkably high, monthly leasing costs work out as £251.99 and £248.28, respectively, per calendar month. Is the additional £3.71 worth it for lower running costs, significant tax advantages and the added environmental benefits? Well, we think so.

EV battery life is a cause for concern

Experts suggest that the average electric vehicle battery can last almost 20 years, or 200,000 miles – easily as long, perhaps longer, than a typical combustion-engined car and far longer than today’s average length of vehicle ownership. What’s more, while battery efficiency will eventually start to drop, the average EV will lose just 2% of accessible range per year – an arguably minor decline.

It might sound obvious, but the latest models have been designed to far outperform their petrol and diesel predecessors. Significant investment has been made by manufacturers into designing ever-more capable vehicles to suit the needs of tomorrow’s drivers.

The UK has insufficient charging infrastructure

As of July 2024, ZapMap’s national database reported 64,775 operational EV charging points across 33,829 charging locations. More than half of these points are registered as either fast, rapid, or ultra-rapid, with installation volumes of the latter almost doubling annually.

In short, this means that there are now four times more charging locations than petrol stations (8,353). But it’s also worth noting that an estimated 80% of all charging still takes place on the driveway. Sales of smart EV chargers, such as the myenergi zappi, continue to soar – with hundreds of thousands of domestic devices now installed at homes and workplaces nationwide.

It’s true that charging infrastructure must continue to expand as the transition to electrification accelerates, but is existing infrastructure ‘insufficient’? The numbers, at least, suggest otherwise.

Limited EV range makes daily driving a cause for concern

With the average driver only commuting 108 miles per week, and some EVs now boasting ranges well in excess of 350 miles, range anxiety is fast becoming a term of the past. Granted, the calculation is relatively simplistic and doesn’t take into consideration factors such as the seasonal drop in battery efficiency experienced during the colder winter months, but it does demonstrate that owning an EV is easier, more practical and more affordable than ever before.

Do EVs have a limited range compared to their petrol and diesel counterparts? It’s fair to say that they’re pretty much on par. Should range prevent you from buying an EV? Well, only if your commute is more than 175 miles each way.

Communication is key to debunking myths

So, while scaremongering is commonplace, switching to electric really is the sensible option for motorists. Need a nippy run-around for your trips into town? There’s countless hatchbacks that’ll suit you down to the ground. Need something a little bigger for motorway journeys? You can now pick up an SUV, saloon or estate for a highly cost-effective monthly price. Best of all, zero tailpipe emissions and torque on demand – the perfect balance of performance, practicality and environmentally-friendly motoring.

Communication, therefore, is more important than ever as we accelerate towards an all-EV car parc. While we can bust myths all day long, national perception is clearly different to EV reality. We need to overcome this barrier and ensure drivers are given the facts – after all, with so much misinformation in the market, we can’t expect motorists to make the transition lightly.

Read more:
Rising UK sales reflects growing consumer confidence in EVs

Jordan Brompton, co-founder and CMO of myenergi, explores the latest second-hand EV sales data and discusses whether dated views and misconceptions are holding back the transition to electrification.

According to insight from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), more than 30,500 second-hand battery electric vehicles (BEVs) changed hands in the second quarter of 2023, an 81.8% rise on the same period last year.[1] Used plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) also grew in popularity, with sales up 11%.

In terms of availability, a quick search on Autotrader brings up more than 16,500 results for used BEVs and nearly 11,000 results for used PHEVs, spanning 47 manufacturers and hundreds of models – from hatchbacks and hybrids to coupes and convertibles. The choice is truly vast, and availability is immediate.

While you can’t miss the mix of top-end nearly new models pushing upwards of £100k, there’s also a huge choice of cars for far less than £17,920[2] – the average UK spend on a second-hand vehicle. You might have to compromise a little when it comes to colour, features or mileage, but the listings are packed with brilliant buys!

The used EV market should be thriving – and such impressive growth figures suggest that progress is building fast. However, when you dig beneath the surface, the reality is a little different. Indeed, as a percentage of total used car sales, plug-in vehicles comprise less than 2% of transactions. There seems a dichotomy between the growing opportunity and lacking consumer confidence.

But why? Well, even though the choice is there, many motorists are still put off by misinformation. From battery systems failing and range figures plummeting, to planned obsolescence after an initial three-year finance deal is up, we’ve all heard the rumours.

But what’s the truth? How long can you really keep an EV? When will you need a new battery? Does the range start to drop quickly after purchase? What’s more, with energy market volatility seeing electricity prices rocket, do the risks really outweigh the benefits of EV over ICE?

Are used EVs a ticking time bomb?

In short, no. While perceived battery life is still a concern for some motorists, experts suggest that the average electric vehicle battery (EVB) can last almost 20 years, or 200,000 miles – a significantly longer lifespan than the typical internal combustion engine and far longer than today’s average length of vehicle ownership. What’s more, while battery efficiency will eventually start to drop, the average EV will lose just 2% of accessible range per year – an arguably minor decline.

It might sound obvious, but the latest models have been designed to far outperform their petrol and diesel predecessors. Significant investment has been made by manufacturers into designing ever-more capable vehicles to suit the needs of tomorrow’s drivers and it really shows. The EVs of today, which include those on our list, have excellent ranges, impressive durability and are cheap to maintain thanks to fewer moving parts.

The anti-EV movement will tell you otherwise, but electric vehicles aren’t designed to fall apart after a few years. They’re not programmed to break, to slow down, to lose efficiency or to rack up costly servicing bills. Vehicle manufacturers are pioneering the future with cars that really are here to stay.

So, while scaremongering is commonplace, switching to electric really is the sensible option for motorists. Need a nippy run-around for your trips into town? There’s countless hatchbacks that’ll suit you down to the ground. Need something a little bigger for motorway journeys? You can pick up an SUV, saloon or estate that’ll keep on going for another decade.

But what about the elephant in the room? The volatile energy market and high electricity bills. Will your used EV quickly become a drain on your finances? Will the price cap rise far above falling petrol prices, leaving me between a rock and a hard place? All important questions but, again, motorists shouldn’t be concerned.

While the environmental benefits of EVs are widely publicised, the financial benefits are equally as impressive. At current prices, a small hatchback would cost less than £650 per annum for the average driver to run if they charge at home. Even though these prices will increase when the energy price cap changes, EVs will still be the most cost-efficient option by far – especially with fuel prices pushing £1.50 per litre (for diesel) and an average tank (55 litres) costing upwards of £80.

The real cheat is if you have a solar array and an eco-smart home EV charger, like the myenergi zappi. In this instance, you can effectively charge for free by self-consuming your self-generated renewable energy – zero fossil fuels, zero reliance on the grid, zero emissions travel. Of course, it requires an up-front investment, but the ability to take total control of your home energy use is an attractive one.

So, should you look to the used market for your next EV? Well absolutely – there really is something for everyone. What’s more, with a huge selection and less than average demand, you’ll likely grab a steal!

As we move ever-closer towards 2030, however, the used EV market must become a key part of the UK’s transition to electrification. The laggards and self-professed petrolheads will continue to spread misinformation, but the reality is really quite different from the current driver perception. Let’s not allow rumours to slow the transition to electrification.

For more information about myenergi, or the company’s pioneering range of eco-smart home energy tech solutions, visit www.myenergi.com.

[1] Second-hand electric vehicle sales soar to record levels | Business News | Sky News

[2] https://plc.autotrader.co.uk/news-views/retail-price-index/

Read more:
Is misinformation putting the brakes on the used EV market?

The average electric car remains cheaper to run than an equivalent petrol car despite recent claims that suggest otherwise. Jordan Brompton of myenergi has her say.

Despite the average price of petrol falling below £1.50 per litre for first time since Russia invaded Ukraine, the average electric car driver can be reassured that their vehicle will remain cheaper to run, unless fuel prices fall below £1 per litre – something they have not done for nearly 14 years.

These figures from myenergi, supplier of one of the UK’s best-selling home charging points, come in the wake of new UK electric car registrations exceeding even the motor industry’s own expectations in 2022, with almost 25,000 (or 7%) more registered last year than had been forecast by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders.

Jordan Brompton, co-founder and CMO of myenergi, said: “The vast majority of electric vehicle charging happens at home and often overnight – and that remains significantly cheaper than fuelling a petrol or diesel car. While some public charging costs have risen noticeably in recent months, very few drivers rely on the rapid or ultra-fast chargers on the public charging network for their everyday charging needs.

“That’s good news for existing and prospective electric car drivers, since not only can those with home charging take advantage of Time of Use home energy tariffs with cheaper overnight electricity, but an increasing number will have the ability to charge for a marginal cost of zero, using their own renewable generation in the form of rooftop solar panels.”

Under the government’s Energy Price Guarantee, the average dual fuel unit price for electricity on standard variable tariffs with direct debit is limited to 34p per kWh. For an electric car averaging just over 3 miles per kWh, this equates to a cost of 11p per mile. With fuel at £1.50 per litre, a petrol car averaging around 45 miles per gallon will cost 15p per mile – and would only become cheaper to run if prices fell below £1 per litre.

Electric car registrations in the UK since 2010 reached a cumulative total of more than 1.1 million by the end of 2022, and the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders forecasts that an additional 1.1 million will be registered by the end of 2024.

Brompton continued: “Far from waning demand, we are seeing interest in electric vehicles absolutely booming. While some models are more readily available, the average lead time for a new electric car is around nine months – far longer than the lead time for a new petrol or diesel car – underlining that this is still very much a supply-constrained market.”

Read more:
Petrol can be cheaper than electric – if less than £1 per litre

Jordan Brompton of myenergi explains how EV drivers working from home could be looking at a payback period of less than six years if they choose to invest in solar panels.

According to insight from the Office for National Statistics (ONS), more than 38% of the UK workforce now enjoy either a part-hybrid or totally remote role. While sceptics have suggested that this trend will begin to fall in-line with retreating COVID-19 cases, a recent survey from Tracking Happiness found that workers are reportedly happier and more productive than ever thanks to their newfound flexibility. As such, if anything, remote working rates are expected to rise further over the coming years.

While this scenario would have been considered almost unthinkable prior to the pandemic, multiple lockdowns have demonstrated that a significant percentage of roles can be successfully delivered remotely, resulting in a more engaged workforce and offering a number of commercial benefits too. Indeed, alongside better performance, greater engagement and increased staff retention, organisations offering remote options are said to have a 21% higher profitability margin.

But alongside professional flexibility, there are additional – financial – benefits available for electric car drivers who work from home and choose to invest in solar panels. Indeed, thanks to the latest developments in eco-smart home energy management technology, householders can not only slash their energy bills, but also significantly reduce the payback period of their investment into renewables.

Savvy saving – investing in solar

When it comes to self-generated renewable energy, solar PV is a reliable and efficient solution with a realistic price tag and minimal maintenance requirements. As the technology has continued to evolve and improve, it has become highly popular with homeowners nationwide.

To tackle the seemingly looming energy crisis, data from Solar Energy UK reveals that more than 12,000 photovoltaic (PV) installations were undertaken in July – an increase of almost 200% year-on-year. In addition, installers nationwide have been reporting enquiry surges of more than 1,000%.

But while solar panels will invariably help to reduce the grid electricity consumption of any household, typically only 45% of self-generated renewable energy is consumed. Indeed, while most household energy is used in the mornings and evenings, most renewable energy is generated during the middle of the day. Unless you have a comprehensive battery set-up, it’s most likely that you’ll export sustainable power at periods of low consumption and buy it back at a more expensive rate when you really need it.

In the past, this scenario has somewhat dissuaded domestic investment into renewable self-generation. However, the latest developments in eco-smart home energy technology have changed things.

At myenergi, we’re renowned worldwide for developing pioneering eco-smart energy solutions that maximise the efficiency of self-generated supply. We help users to harness the true benefits of self-generation through market-leading smart technologies, reducing their carbon footprint and helping them to take complete control of their energy spend.

We’re best known for designing the market’s first eco-smart electric vehicle charging device – zappi – a future-proofed solution that, alongside operating as a mains-connected charging device that automatically optimises around your energy tariff to enable charging at both cheaper and greener times from the grid, seamlessly integrates with renewable tech to harness self-generated energy.

The ability for remote workers to effectively ‘soak up’ excess solar during the day gives zappi users the opportunity to charge for free – quick, simple, zero emissions motoring. While charging your car through mains supply is still far cheaper and more environmentally friendly than running a petrol or diesel car, doing it with renewable energy can take EV charging completely off grid – reducing annual bills for electric motoring by upwards of £500 per annum!

For those who don’t work at home, solar is still a great investment if paired with myenergi’s eddi. The clever diverter diverts surplus renewable energy to domestic heating systems, such as an immersion, storage or space system, to provide users with 100% renewable heat and hot water. It can even be paired with a domestic battery device to store self-generated energy for use during the evenings.

In result? A smart home with minimal grid demand, powered by completely free renewable energy.

Embracing the future

Remote working is clearly here to stay. The benefits, for both employers and employees, are countless and the positive impacts of a more controlled work/life balance speak for themselves.

But rather than rely on grid supply, remote workers with solar panels should consider harnessing the benefits of eco-smart energy management to maximise the opportunities available. At myenergi, we’re proud to provide innovative ways for homeowners to embrace sustainability while also cutting costs and reducing payback periods through our pioneering product line-up.

It might sound obvious, but maximising consumption of self-generated renewable energy is key to taking total control of your home energy use. It’s a great opportunity and one to seize with both hands.

Read more:
Working from home can slash solar payback periods for EV drivers

Jordan Brompton, co-founder of myenergi, explains why the decision to mandate new-build properties to feature an EV charger could prove transformational.

Around the world, we are seeing increasing awareness and action on climate change. With a growing public desire for greater momentum, UK legislators have introduced a series of successive, technologically progressive policies to help accelerate change. These changes are wide-ranging, but perhaps nowhere is it more noticeable than in the automotive sector.

A global industry worth $3.8 trillion per annum, the sector has experienced a radical and unprecedented shift within the space of two design cycles. The technologies and vehicles available to us now seemed almost beyond comprehension just a decade ago. The rise of hybrid and battery electric systems is poised to revolutionise the industry, helping us – individually and collectively – to reduce our emissions.

“It is undeniably a very exciting time in automotive technology and it highlights our collective progress and interest in decarbonising personal transport,” explains Brompton, the co-founder and CMO of EV charging brand myenergi. “While some argue that progress is not fast enough, from an engineering and development standpoint, vehicle manufacturers have taken incredible risks and used significant resources to alter course. These efforts should be celebrated – the variety of EV types, designs and capabilities available to us today is converting an ever-greater number of motorists.”

The UK government’s latest step to drive EV adoption was announcing a 2030 ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel vehicles. With a number of global vehicle manufacturers located in the UK, and with Britain a major automotive market for many brands, this caused quite a stir. Almost one year on from that announcement, we can see that many vehicle manufacturers have been working on new hybrid and electric models, giving consumers an increasingly broad number of options.

Earlier this month, however, further progress was announced – coming in the form of the mandatory installation of vehicle charging points in all new-build homes and offices from 2022. This will undoubtedly prove to be another landmark moment. In fact, it could see the UK lead the global race towards electrification, with home chargers further supplementing the UK’s growing public-access charging networks.

“This announcement will be a gamechanger for EV and hybrid adoption across the UK,” continues Brompton. “With the charger pre-installed and integrated into the purchase of a new home, it will make home charging a default and, as such people will be far more open to the idea of electric vehicles. Adoption is all about removing hurdles, making it easier for people to switch and eliminating any uncertainty about range or charging access.”

The bill dictates that all devices will need to be ‘smart’ – i.e. capable of communicating with the car about when is best to plug into the grid. This is to help prevent the energy network from being overloaded if too many drivers are charging at once.

“Smart chargers are certainly an important piece of the puzzle from the point of view of government and energy providers,” continues Brompton. “By adjusting charge scheduling around energy market demands and generation, the impact of vehicle charging on the grid can be minimised. This addresses many of the critics and requires no effort or input from motorists, it is all done automatically.”

Brompton also points out that new car purchases can often follow moving into a new home. With the charger already included, this will mean that far more people could consider an EV purchase, with charging becoming as routine as turning on central heating or setting a house alarm.

That is not to say the legislation is without its challenges. Brompton points out that the implementation and delivery of the programme will be critical to its success. With the market for home chargers rising rapidly in recent years, there is a lot more to consider than simply mounting a box and connecting the power.

“The growth of the home charger market has seen the introduction of many products, with substantial variations in technology, design and build quality. Numerous brands have entered the industry with some hugely innovative and compelling solutions, equally, others have disappointed consumers with poor performance and reliability.

“In the roll-out of this new programme, there is a clear need for thorough product evaluation and approval. We either need to make property developers aware of the differences in charging systems and capabilities, or develop some kind of rating system that ensures UK homes are being adequately equipped. At the end of the day, we need high-quality chargers that are future-proofed and will give homeowners long-term value.”

Brompton goes on to highlight that the last thing new homeowners need is the pressure to swap out a dated or incompatible charging device within a year or two of purchasing the new property. Impartial guidance, evaluation and product recommendations would go a long way to smoothing implementation and the lasting success of the new bill.

“As an example, zappi – our next generation eco-smart EV charger – has been installed in tens of thousands of properties worldwide. In fact, it is currently the best-selling British-made EV charger. Alongside standard smart charging modes, it’s the first device on the market capable of harnessing power from renewable energy micro-generation technologies, such as PV panels and small-scale wind turbines. Factors like this should be integral to the approval process, impartially evaluating features and benefits of every product.

“We bring a consumer-centric approach to decarbonisation and are a proud UK company, with all of our products designed and built in Lincolnshire.”

With immense public interest, legislative pressure and investment from vehicle manufacturers, the UK is seeing a rapid rise in EV and PHEV ownership. While this new legislation is hugely positive news, as Brompton highlighted, it should be supplemented with a robust system to evaluate devices. This will help to ensure that UK homes are provided with capable and future-proofed chargers and equip us all for the future of driving.

For more information about myenergi, or the zappi charging device, visit www.myenergi.com.

Read more:
“Home charger legislation the catalyst for our electric future”