BEIS and Ofgem aim to ‘kickstart’ smart charging market

The government and Ofgem have launched an action plan to “kickstart the market” for smart electric vehicle (EV) charging in a bid to make it the preferred long-duration charging method by the middle of the decade.

On Tuesday (17 January) ministers unveiled the Electric Vehicle Smart Charging Action Plan which will see the government improve publicly available information and evidence on smart charging, support the implementation of robust consumer service standards and ensure private charge points are secure and compatible with the latest energy innovations.

Ministers have also announced £16 million in funding from the Net Zero Innovation Portfolio (NZIP) to boost projects developing smart technologies, including one which aims to develop a smart street lamppost capable of charging EVs and sharing power back to the grid.

The funding will also be available to projects developing smart Demand-Side Response technologies.

In a statement, the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) said: “The roll out of intelligent and automated smart charging will deliver a win-win situation for all consumers.

“Reduced electricity system costs will lower prices for everyone, motorists will pay less for charging their electric vehicle, and the electricity powering electric vehicles will be cleaner and greener.”

Energy and climate minister Graham Stuart said: “We want to make smart charging an easier choice for drivers of electric vehicles, whether that is charging on the driveway, at the workplace, or parked on the street. To do that we need to build new network infrastructure at pace, using the latest available technologies.

“Today’s plan sets out how we will work with Ofgem and industry to kickstart the market for smart charging, which we are backing it up with £16 million in innovation funding. This will let people take control of their energy usage, in the most convenient and low-cost way.”

More to follow.