News 28th May 2020
Electric car drivers face postcode lottery with over 1,000 vehicles per on-street charger in parts of the UK
Andersen calls for better coverage to avoid electric vehicle uptake in the UK outstripping public infrastructure
London, UK, 28th May 2020 – Electric car drivers face a postcode lottery on public charging as the lack of ‘on-street’ infrastructure threatens to pull the plug on the uptake of ultra-low emissions vehicles, according to UK manufacturer of home charge points Andersen.
Analysis of Zap-Map data undertaken by Andersen has ranked the best and worst areas in the UK for access to on-street chargers with each of the 4,453 on-street charging points having to serve 55 cars.*
On-street chargers, which make up a quarter of the total UK charging network, are a key part of the electric car ecosystem providing a convenient, local option to the third of homeowners across the UK who don’t have the luxury of a driveway or garage to install a home charger; as well as serving as a handy top-up option when they’re out and about. Just 1 in 6 rural homes do not have access to off-street parking, while in major cities and town centres this figure rises to 60 per cent, which may hamper EV take-up in more densely populated areas.
The Department for Transport has made £10 million available to councils that will fund a further 7,200 devices by 2021. But today, there is a woeful lack of access to on-street points, with drivers forced to plan journeys around the restrictions and availability of chargers in city centre car parks, dealerships, leisure centres or office car parks to avoid a flat battery.
Where strong electric car uptake combines with a lack of off-street parking there is a growing need for on-street charge points. Owners in the South West that do not have off-street parking face the greatest potential concern with 1,448 plug-in cars per on-street charger in the region. Comparatively, the best region outside London for on-street demand is the North West with 70 vehicles per charger.***
Currently, around 80 per cent of owners have access to a home charge point, but electric vehicle uptake continues to soar with market share tripling in the last year****; the TESLA Model 3 was the UK’s best-selling car in April. Indeed, 2020 is predicted to be a tipping point with the number of electric models on the market rising from just 60 to over 176 vehicles.*****
Jerome Faissat, Commercial Director of Andersen, said: “Electric vehicles are the future of motoring in this country and market share has trebled in the last year with even greater growth forecast over the next 12 months. Even with the pledged Government funding, there is still a huge shortfall in the infrastructure required to serve those who have made the switch so far and is holding others back from making the change.
“A discrepancy in Local Government funding for publicly accessible charging stations is creating a two-tier system in which those living in large properties or illustrious postcodes are better able to benefit from the significant fuel savings and environmental benefits afforded by electric vehicles.”
London accounts for 78% of all on-street chargers with an average of just 10 cars per on-street charger. Wandsworth, Westminster and Kensington & Chelsea boroughs are best served although in some areas the plug-in demand still outstrips infrastructure – for example in Redbridge there are 237 registered cars per charger.
Faissat continued: “Andersen’s ethos is that vehicle charging should be an easy and smart process. We want to democratise EV charging and are calling on local authorities to ramp up public infrastructure for those who might not have access to a driveway and are unable to join those who enjoy home charging. Our message is clear: If you further accelerate public infrastructure, we can help encourage take up of electric vehicles and make our communities cleaner and safer.”
Notes to editors
* Zap-Map, number of on-road residential devices, April 2020
** Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government
*** Regional breakdown (cars per charger):
1. South West 1,448
2. Yorkshire and The Humber 1,019
3. East Midlands 744
4. East 712
5. Wales 456
6. West Midlands 225
7. North East 157
8. South East 137
9. Scotland 110
10. Northern Ireland 90
11. North West 70
12. London 10
**** SMMT, https://www.smmt.co.uk/vehicle-data/evs-and-afvs-registrations/
***** Transport & Environment, https://www.transportenvironment.org/publications/electric-surge-carmakers-electric-car-plans-across-europe-2019-2025
About Andersen
Andersen is a British manufacturer and installer of high-end vehicle charge points, focused on creating a range of home wall box chargers for the luxury market. The scale-up was launched in 2015 by entrepreneurs David Simpson, Mandy Simpson and Jérôme Faissat who were unsatisfied by the existing wall boxes on offer for electric vehicle owners.
The Andersen A2 is a stylish EV charging point that combines unrivalled aesthetics and pioneering technology. The A2 hides the integrated cable and enhances the charging experience for electric vehicle enthusiasts, with increased levels of 3-Phase, 22kW power and SMART controlled connectivity. Every charging point comes with the Kønnect app which allows users to track energy usage, lock and unlock the chargepoint remotely and schedule charging.
The ergonomic unit is compact in size and is available in sustainable eco timber or stainless steel and in a range of colours. Each product is made to order and delivers smart technology with elite craftsmanship.
Visit andersen-ev.com to find out more.
If you’d like to speak to Jerome Faissat, Andersen’s CEO, he is available for interviews and comments.
Contact : Jamie Ivory, Head of Technology, Performance Communications 07759659323
