Watchdog launches probe into EV fast-charging network
LONG-TERM exclusivity deals between electric vehicle charge-point provider Electric Highway and three motorway services operators are being investigated by the competition watchdog.
The CMA said Electric Highway now provides 80% of all charge-points at motorway service stations, excluding Elon Musk’s Tesla-only sockets, and the 10 to 15-year arrangements signed with Moto, Roadchef and Extra cover twothirds of the UK’s service station.
It has launched a probe into the deals, which CEO Andrea Coscelli warned could make it difficult for other operators to enter the market to increase competition, potentially driving down costs while raising availability.
The announcement came as the CMA warned slow and patchy roll-out of EV charging points nationwide threatens to put drivers off switching from petrol, and could derail the UK’s net-zero
ambitions.
It said the charger network needs to expand by at least 10 times from 25,000 public charge points to between 280,000 and 480,000 by 2030.
Calling for action to address the “postcode lottery” in provision, Coscelli said: “EVs play a critical role in meeting net zero but the challenges with creating an entirely new charging network should not be underestimated.”
Electric Highway was launched in 2011 by Dale Vince’s green energy pioneer Ecotricity and sold to sustainable energy business Gridserve last month.