Insufficient charging stations could leave UK EV drivers stranded

Not enough charging points could leave some United Kingdom EV drivers stranded, a new study shows.

New car buyers face huge diesel taxes from April next year, encouraging many to opt for electric – but they could be left out of power as there aren’t enough charging stations, The Sun reports.

Charging points aren’t quite meeting electric car demand, according to new analysis by finance firm Moneybarn.

Figures show there’s one charging point for every 85km, compared with a service station every 46.6km.

Most all-electric models need charging every 160km, so the number of plug-in points could leave motorists dangerously low on charge and out of range for stations during long journeys and non-motorway travel, The Sun

says.

It could get worse unless infrastructure ramps up, with 700,000 EVs expected by 2020.

“While it’s great to see a rise in the adoption of electric vehicles, UK infrastructure needs to keep up,” Moneybarn sales and marketing director Simon Bayley says.

“Motorists need peace of mind they can complete journeys without the worry of running out of power or long charging delays.”

A Chargemaster spokesman says the figures comparing petrol stations to electric plug-in points are “misleading” and charging is often done at home.

“The UK already has well over 100,000 charging points, and we expect that figure to keep pace with the market as it grows, including with rapid chargers that we are installing faster than anyone else.

“Currently, only about 25% of the public charging network is in use at any one time.

“There is no reason to think that the UK’s EV charging infrastructure will not keep pace with the market.”

Access issues at a few US charging stations have resulted in “charge rage”, prompting some organisations to issue EV charging etiquette advice.

However, reports from the UK indicate that behaviour is unlikely there, Brits more likely to resort to notes and “icy stares”.