Slow rapid charger rollout could hinder EV
The uptake of electric vehicles could be hindered by a slow rollout of the rapid public charging network, the RAC has warned.
Themotoringorganisation has analysed Government data that shows just 17 per cent of the public charge points installed last year were rapid or ultra-rapid.
Range anxiety is often cited as the biggest barrier to EV adoption, with a robust public chargingnetworkbeingagreat way to ease concerns.
The number of public chargersincreased37percent in 2021, with almost 29,000 in place by January 2022.
However,atthestartoffebruary, just 18 per cent of those wereconsideredrapidorultrarapid, meaning EV drivers are relying heavily on over 23,000 non-rapid chargers while on the move.
Theproportionofallchargersthatarerapidorultra-rapid reduced one per cent year-onyear.
What’s also of concern is that to qualify as rapid or ultra-rapid, a charger had to have an output of 25kw or above. Those looking to quickly top up their battery on the move would likely be looking for 100kw or above, assuming their vehicle can charge at that speed.
For example, charge point provider Pod Point says you can typically add about 90 miles of range in 30 minutes througha50kwcharger,while a 150kw unit will add about 200 miles in the same time.
The RAC says the data also showsthatthenumberofnonrapid charge points installed in 2021 was almost double the number of 2020, but the numberofrapidorultra-rapid chargers installed was only up 21 per cent in the same period.
The organisation has warned that separate analysis shows the number of EV registrations is outpacing the installation of new chargers. In July 2021 there were 77 battery vehicles for each charger intheuk,upfrom42twoyears earlier.
RAC director of electric vehicles Sarah Winward-kotecha said: “The greater the number of truly rapid chargers, the easier charging becomes on longer trips and the more often charging spaces can be turned over and used by other drivers.
“These latest figures show we still have a long way to go.”