EV chargepoint customers call for standardised payment systems, roaming enablement

15 April 2021

A survey by Electric Vehicle Association (EVA) England of 1,000 drivers found widespread support for the rollout of contactless credit and debit card payments and the ability to use one charge card across multiple networks. Chargepoint customers also want to see higher levels of reliability of service.

EVA England carried out the survey to inform its response to the UK Government’s consultation on the ‘Consumer Experience at Public Electric Vehicle Chargepoints’.

The survey also highlighted the importance of the public charging network even to those with off-street parking, with 92% of electric vehicle drivers relying on the public charging network at least once a month.

Based on the results of the survey, EVA England has made the following recommendations to Government:

• Chargepoints should offer a choice between three standardised payment methods: 1) A contactless credit or debit card 2) A ‘universal’ charge (RFID) card 3) A smartphone app
• The Government should mandate that Charge Point Operators enable roaming and allow for drivers to use one app or RFID card on all networks.
• Government should mandate a minimum amount of data that must be made open in a standardised format to EV drivers to better equip drivers to plan their charges along the public charging network.
• All prices for electricity sold at EV charging sites should be stated in pence/kWh.
• Government should work with the EV chargepoint industry to establish a roadmap to mandate 99% reliability and 24/7 helpline availability within agreed timescales.
• Standardised signage should be increased in terms of both number and visibility both at the site of the chargepoint as well as on a range of approach roads.

Gill Nowell, media spokesperson and a Director at EVA England said:  “We recognise that the pace of chargepoint deployment is increasing and that the infrastructure going in the ground today is greatly improved from that which was being installed even five years ago. However, we encourage Government to intervene now in order to ensure that all charging infrastructure is reliable, safe and user-friendly, across all driver groups.”