David Abernethie from Sevadis discusses the electric vehicle charging outlook for the housebuilder and developer sector and delves into how a collaborative approach is best practice in an ever-evolving industry

As the nation steers towards a net zero future, the UK’s driver population is starting to make the all-important switch to driving an electric vehicle. It was only recently that the EV industry reached its 1 million electric vehicles on the road milestone; though this is an impressive figure, there is still a long way to go. While vehicle driving ranges, models and technologies are evolving to suit the average driver, people remain reluctant to make the transition. ‘Range anxiety’ is a concept of the past as vehicle manufacturers have listened, and delivered practical EV models to accommodate the average person’s commute, however, ‘EV chargepoint anxiety’ is a real phenomenon.

In fact, a study conducted by Ofgem presented that over 38% of participants in the study were unlikely to purchase an electric vehicle in the next five years, with 36% of those participants stating the reason for this is the lack of EV charging infrastructure near their homes. 

MANDATORY REGULATIONS & LEGISLATION 

Earlier this year, in order to ramp up the roll-out of EV charging points to support the adoption of electric vehicles, the Government announced the mandatory requirement for EV charging point installations across new housing and commercial developments. 

In short, any new home with associated parking must be fitted with an EV charging point, this also applies to residential buildings undergoing major renovations which possess more than ten parking spaces (must have at least one EV charging point per dwelling with associated parking, alongside cable routes in all spaces without EV charging points). For non-residential buildings with more than 10 parking spaces, a similar principle applies, in which a minimum of one EV charging point and cable routes for 20% of the total number of spaces must be installed. 

Non-residential buildings undergoing major redevelopments which have more than 10 parking spaces must be installed with a minimum of one EV charging point, alongside five cable routes of 20% of the total number of spaces. However, the introduction of Part S Regulations does mean that developers are not currently urged to install active EV charging points into covered car parks; they only have to fit cable routes. 

The implementation of the new regulations is of no surprise to the industries involved, despite the reluctance from key stakeholders. Ultimately, in order to reach net zero, the roll-out of a greater number of EV charging points is required to provide prospective EV drivers with the confidence in the ability to recharge their vehicles. From a domestic perspective, the introduction of the mandatory requirement was inevitable; approximately 80% of EV charging takes place at home, during off-peak hours, resulting in less pressure on the grid – strategically and economically, the mandatory EV charging requirements for the home simply just ‘makes sense.’

A CONSULTATIVE APPROACH (WITH EDUCATIONAL BACKING)

For the roll-out of a national EV charging infrastructure to truly work, a collaborative approach is required in which experts within various fields work together to deliver the brief. Developers are already coordinating several elements within a development; adding electric vehicle charging points into the mix without a doubt causes an additional task – which is an all-encompassing task, requiring product and technical know-how, as well as best installation practices. To make matters simpler, an approach that provides training, professional development and a consultative approach is one that will prove efficient and which will garner the best results.

Product, technical, and installation training all play a pivotal role in ensuring that developments are equipped with fit-for-purpose and future-proofed EV charging solutions. Without educational backing, there exists room for error which can in turn present detrimental implications for residents; whether that be a homeowner, or an employee at a workplace. While we are living in an era of modern technologies and post-pandemic, virtual training sessions can be favoured by many for their convenience, however, a hands-on approach to training provides a true representation of how an EV charging point should be installed. 

SOLUTIONS FOR DEVELOPERS 

Whether it’s a domestic or commercial development, the current EV charging market offers a diverse range of solutions to suit a multitude of user cases. From single phase to three phase; EV chargers with dynamic load balancing capabilities; AC fast charging to DC rapid charging; socketed and tethered; the EV charging market has matured to offer a wide range of solutions to meet the growing demand for straightforward and complex cases. 

For most cases, especially the home and other private locations, smart EV charging solutions are paramount, not only because legislation states that smart EV charging is a must for private installations moving forward, but smart EV charging solutions provide significant opportunities for the future, for example; the ability to generate additional revenue; relieving the pressure off the grid; smart reporting for informed decision making and more. 

While there are numerous solutions available in the evolving market, in order to solidify the ideal solution per user case, developers will benefit greatly from collaborating with EV charging point and software providers. With the future accelerating towards electrification, working together and bringing respective specialists together provides the foundations for a robust EV charging infrastructure across new domestic and commercial developments. 

David Abernethie is senior project manager at EV charging provider Sevadis