Poor mobile reception ‘could limit EV drivers’

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

The RAC Foundation, which conducted the research, warned that 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, 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-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 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.”

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.

A Government spokesperson said: “We’ve invested £1bn to increase 4G coverage and are on track to have 95 per cent of the UK covered by the end of next year.”