ELECTRIC VEHICLES
FRANK BERTIE, CHIEF TECHNICAL OFFICER AT THE NAPIT GROUP, DISCUSSES THE UK AND NI’S INCREASED
POLICY FOCUS ON EVS AND HIGHLIGHTS HOW INSTALLERS CAN PLAY A ROLE IN DECARBONISATION… Charging up installer knowledge: electric vehicles
T he UK Government pledged to end the sale of new petrol and diesel cars by 2030 in November 2020, marking a historic step on the journey towards net zero. In the past two years, there has been an increased focus on preparing the necessary infrastructure, workforce, products, and skills to meet the target. With electric vehicle uptake increasing by 71% in 2021, installers of EV charge points are expected to be in high demand. Regulations The December 2022 uplift in Building Regulations requires the installation of electric vehicle charge points (EVCPs) in all new homes and buildings and that all EVCPs installed have smart functionality. This is critical for building a long-term sustainable infrastructure as the EVCPs’ smart capability charges an electric vehicle when there is less demand on the grid or when more renewable electricity is available. This also helps to mitigate concerns about grid capacity, load control and adequate electricity supply to buildings. Not only do these Regulations alleviate some of the industry’s concerns about grid capacity, but “smart chargers” must also meet certain device-level
requirements, enabling a minimum level of access, security, and information for consumers. This enables effective monitoring of usage and customer behaviour, which will aid in identifying any issues and allow any future policy to be based on empirical evidence. Grants The government is also providing grants for flat owner-occupiers and landlords to encourage further installations. The EVCP grant covers 75% of the cost of installing a single charge point. Landlords can receive up to 200 grants a year for residential properties, and a further 100 for commercial properties. To qualify for the EVCP grant, the installation must be completed on the consumers’ behalf by an Office for Zero Emission Vehicles (OZEV) registered installer. Other government funding options for EVCPs include the Workplace Charging Scheme, a voucher-based scheme that assists eligible applicants with the upfront costs of purchasing and installing an EVCP in England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. Furthermore, local government can take advantage of an on-street residential charge point scheme to help them
support and deliver the EVCP rollout more effectively. Creating a competent EVCP installation workforce The Government’s commitment to improving EV infrastructure necessitates a skilled workforce of competent installers. NAPIT offers a two-day training course offered at multiple NAPIT training locations. The City & Guilds- approved course covers the Design and Installation of Domestic and Small Commercial Electric Vehicle Charging Installations. Installers must also keep up to date with the latest developments as part of their Continuing Professional Development. Recent OZEV-commissioned audits of EVCPs installations revealed several common oversights made by installers that are often simple to correct. NAPIT’s “Top 10 Tips” guide for EVCP installs helps those installing charge points identify and avoid common mistakes.
T: +44 (0)345 543 0330 www.napit.org.uk
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