Poor phone signal could stop e-cars charging
Two-thirds of power points may be unusable for some drivers if they cannot access the 4G network
DRIVERS of electric vehicles (EVS) could struggle to use about two-thirds of Britain’s most common type of public charge point because of patchy mobile phone signals, according to a report.
The RAC Foundation, which conducted the research, warned the issue risks “undermining” confidence in EV infrastructure. The study found that 66 per cent of Type-2 chargers – which have speeds of up to 8kw – in Britain, excluding London, are in areas where at least one mobile network provider does not have usable 4G coverage. In the capital, the figure is only slightly lower at 61.3 per cent.
The vast majority of Type-2 public chargers require drivers to access them via mobile phone apps, and the chargers themselves need an adequate mobile connection to function. Unless all four of Britain’s mobile network providers – EE, O2, Three and Vodafone – provide adequate coverage at a charger’s location, drivers may be unable to recharge their EV, the report said.
The report was based on analysis of figures from the Department for Transport and the mobile network mapping company Teragence.
Steve Gooding, the RAC Foundation’s director, said: “Drivers of vehicles fuelled by petrol and diesel are used to reliable and hassle-free filling-up at any of the 8,400 forecourts across Britain.
“The same cannot yet be said of topping up the battery of an electric car at a public charge point.
“Where signal connectivity at a charge point is a problem, drivers might conclude that the charger is at fault, hence undermining the confidence we should be building in the reliability of public charging options for electric vehicles.”
Mr Gooding warned that poor connectivity for Type-2 chargers “won’t get picked up” in the Government’s new mandatory reporting system as it only applies to the rapid charger network.
He called for a “better approach” to highlighting connectivity issues, so designers can make “workarounds” available such as Wi-fi hotspots and satellite internet provision.
Last week, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) issued renewed pleas for EV purchase incentives after figures showed a decline in the vehicles’ share of the new car market. Some 15.2 per cent of new cars registered in March were pure electrics, down from 16.2 per cent during the same month last year.
The SMMT is urging the Government to halve VAT on the purchase of new EVS, amend plans to introduce vehicle excise duty for EVS, and reduce VAT on public charging to bring it into line with home charging.
The zero emission electric vehicle mandate, which requires 22 per cent of each mainstream brand’s car registrations in 2024 to be electric, came into force in January.
This will increase to 28 per cent next year and 80 per cent by the end of the decade – before rising to 100 per cent from 2035.
Last year, the Government pushed back a ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars from 2030 until 2035.
A government spokesman said: “We’ve invested £1billion to increase 4G coverage and are on track to have 95 per cent of the UK covered by the end of next year.”