Update
On 24 October, the UK government officially approved the UK Public Charge Point Regulations 2023, first proposed in July. One requirement that will take effect immediately is the requirement for charge points to clearly display charging prices in pence per kilowatt-hour (p/kWh). This is aimed at providing users with straightforward comparisons of charging costs.
Even when charges are bundled with other services like parking, the cost specifically related to EV charging must be distinctly shown, though overstay fees are exempt from this requirement as they aren’t considered part of the charging cost.
Charge point operators have the discretion to determine how to present the equivalent p/kWh price for bundled services, which can be illustrated per hour of charging or based on the average length of a charging session.
What’s happening?
On July 11, 2023, the UK government introduced a draft of the Public Charge Point Regulations 2023 in Parliament, outlining a strategic plan to shape the future of public EV charging in the country. These regulations aim to address EV drivers’ challenges while using the charging infrastructure, accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles and support the nation’s transition to a more sustainable future. The Public Charge Points Regulations are enacted as a continuation of The Electric Vehicles (Smart Charge Points) Regulations, which came into force in 2021 and focus on private charging.
The scope of the new public charge point regulations
These regulations apply to public charge points in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. A public charge point refers to a charging station that can be accessed during certain hours or is located in a public car park, regardless of whether the car park is exclusively for specific goods or services. However, it does not include workplace charge points, charge points for specific vehicle manufacturers, or residents or visitors of residential premises.
What do these regulations hope to achieve?
The Public Charge Point Regulations 2023 have several overarching goals:
- Improve User Experience
The regulations focus on enhancing the overall user experience of EV charging by ensuring better reliability, clearer pricing, easier payments, and real-time data. These improvements will streamline the charging process and boost public confidence in the electric vehicle charging network.
- Increase Accessibility
By mandating contactless payments for all chargers over 8kW, the regulations seek to make EV charging more accessible and convenient for EV owners. This move aligns with the evolving payment trends in the digital age. - Foster Collaboration and Connectivity
Charge Point Operators (CPOs) must have roaming deals with third parties, promoting collaboration and aiming to create a more interconnected charging network. This will eliminate barriers and enable seamless charging experiences for EV drivers, regardless of the charging operator.
- Encourage Innovation
Providing free and open real-time data on charger status will pave the way for countless innovations, improving mapping tools and enabling better planning for EV journeys.
A look at the new charge point requirements in detail
Contactless payments
New public charge points of 8kW and above and existing rapid charge points must offer contactless payment to consumers.
Proprietary networks that open their charge points for public use will have one year from the date that the charge point becomes public to offer contactless.
Lead Time from Implementation: One year
Penalty: Up to £10,000 per charge point
Roaming
Charge point operators must enable consumers to pay through at least one roaming provider at their charge points.
Lead Time from Implementation: Two years
Penalty: Up to £10,000 per charge point
99% reliability
Rapid charge points must be 99% reliable, measured as an average across each charge point operator’s rapid network. Information on reliability compliance must be published on the charge point operator’s website.
Lead Time from Implementation: One year
Penalty: Up to £10,000 per network
Helpline
A free, 24/7 staffed telephone helpline must be available and advertised at all charge points.
Lead Time from Implementation: One year
Penalty: Up to £10,000 per charge point
Open data
All data must be accurate and charge point operators must use the Open Charge Point Interface (OCPI) to hold and open their data. Reference and availability data must be made publicly available and in a machine-readable format. Government bodies, Distribution Network Operators, Transmission Owners and Electricity System Operators must have access to all data.
Lead Time from Implementation: One year
Penalty: Up to £10,000 per charge point
Pricing
The total cost of a charging session must be displayed clearly in pence per kilowatt hour. The price can be displayed either on the charge point or through a separate device.
Lead Time from Implementation: Immediately
Penalty: Up to £10,000 per charge point
- Contactless payment for electric vehicle charging
Contactless payment means using a payment card or phone with a contactless payment feature without the necessity of signing contracts or registering with a CPO.
In the case of a newly established public charging station 8 kilowatts or higher, CPOs are obligated, within a span of one year, to facilitate contactless payment methods (such as card or phone tapping).
For pre-existing rapid charging stations (exceeding 8kw) that were operational prior to the enactment of these regulations, contactless payment must also be realized within one year.
If a private charging station becomes public after these rules start, CPOs must allow contactless payment within one year from when it becomes public.
- Payment Roaming for Electric Vehicle Charging
Within two years from the start of these rules, every CPO must allow people to pay for EV charging using a payment service from another company that roams between different charging networks. If you already allow payment through a roaming provider on the day these rules start, you must inform the government within 28 days about the roaming providers you permit.
- Reliability of Rapid Charge Points
Within one year of these rules starting, you must make sure that your network meets the reliability standard. The reliability standard means that, on average, the rapid charge points should be working properly and available for use 99% of the time in each calendar year.
To be considered reliable, a rapid charge point should either be working and showing one of these statuses: available, charging, or reserved, or it should be ineligible for measurement and showing one of these statuses: unknown or blocked. If a rapid charge point is only available during specific hours, its reliability will be evaluated based on its performance during those hours only.
The CPO must share information about how well they meet the reliability standard on their website.
- Charge Point Operator Helpline
As a CPO, you must offer a toll-free staffed telephone helpline, available 24/7 throughout the year. The helpline number must be prominently displayed on or near the charging station.
The charging station company must keep a record of every call made to the helpline and submit a detailed report to the government every quarter.
- Charging Station Data Requirements
Within a year of these rules starting, you must keep specific data for each of your public charging points, including accuracy, location data, and EVSE object status data. The data must be provided electronically to the Secretary of State and other relevant entities upon request. It must also be made available to the public for free and in a machine-readable format without any usage restrictions.
- Clear Pricing Display for Charging
The charging station company must show the total price for charging an electric vehicle in pence per kilowatt-hour. This should be clearly displayed either on the charging point itself or on a separate device that doesn’t require any pre-existing contract with the company.
How will the new regulations affect your business?
If you are a CPO with operations in the UK, you might be wondering how these new regulations will impact your operations. At AMPECO, we understand your concerns and are here to provide the solutions you need to navigate these changes smoothly.
The primary focus of the new regulations is to ensure a 99% reliability record on average for all public charge points. As an EV charging management platform, AMPECO is well-equipped to help you meet this requirement. Our advanced monitoring and maintenance tools allow you to keep a close eye on the performance of your charge points, ensuring they operate at their optimal levels at all times. By regularly analyzing the data and proactively addressing any potential issues, you can demonstrate compliance with the reliability benchmark and avoid facing hefty fines.
To comply with the new laws, you must implement contactless payment systems. AMPECO integrates with leading terminal manufacturers and PSPs, providing secure and flexible payment options for CPOS.
The regulations require charge point operators to submit annual reports on the performance of their charging devices. AMPECO simplifies this process by providing a comprehensive reporting system that automatically generates the required data, saving you time and effort in complying with the reporting obligations.
The new mandate for roaming deals with third parties offers a fast way to open up your charging infrastructure and enter new markets. With AMPECO, you can integrate with major roaming hubs Hubject and Gireve, or build direct OCPI connections with your preferred networks.
At AMPECO, we see these regulations as an opportunity for growth and progress. With our innovative technologies and expertise, we are committed to supporting your business in achieving compliance, enhancing customer satisfaction, and contributing to the overall advancement of sustainable transportation.
