Weak mobile signals could hamper EV charging

Electric vehicle (EV) drivers could struggle to use around two-thirds of Britain’s most common type of public chargepoint because of patchy mobile signals, according to a report.

The RAC Foundation, which conductedtheresearch,warned that the issue risks “undermining” confidence in EV infrastructure.

The study found that 66% of Type-2 chargers – which have speeds of up to 8kw – in Britain excluding London are in areas where at least one mobile networkproviderdoesnothaveusable 4G coverage.

The vast majority of Type-2 public chargers require drivers toaccessthemviamobilephone 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, there is a risk a driver will be unable to recharge their EV, the report warned.

RAC Foundation director Steve Gooding said: “Drivers of vehicles fuelled by petrol and diesel are used to reliable and hassle-freefillingupatanyofthe 8,400forecourtsacrossBritain.

“Thesamecannotyetbesaid of topping up the battery of an electric car at a public chargepoint.

“Where signal connectivity at a chargepoint 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”tohighlightingconnectivity issues, so that designers can make “workarounds” available such as wi-fi hotspots and satellite internet provision.

The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) issuedrenewedpleasforEVpurchase incentives after figures showedadeclineinthevehicles’ share of the new car market.

TheSMMTisurgingtheGovernment to halve VAT on the purchase of new EVs, amend planstointroducevehicleexcise duty for EVs, and reduce VAT on public charging to bring it into line with home charging.