Every new-build property built in the United Kingdom (UK) must have a charging station available from now on. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced this at the Confederation of British Industry (CBI). The new rule applies to both residential and office properties.
The switch to electric driving should make a major contribution to meeting climate targets. However, there have long been concerns about the availability of charging infrastructure. This infrastructure is necessary to charge electric vehicles.
Embrace rises rapidly
The UK is also committed to a rapid embrace of electric driving. For instance, from 2030, only electric passenger cars may be sold new in the country. The commitment is yielding results; the embrace of electric vehicles is rising rapidly in the country. For instance, more than 140,000 new electric vehicles were registered in the first 10 months of 2021. This number was around 76,000 during the same period in 2020.
Facilitating the use of these vehicles will require many charging stations. UK authorities expect a need for 145,000 new charging stations on an annual basis. The new rules should help realise this charging infrastructure. British media report that not only new housing developments, but also office buildings and other commercial sites should be equipped with charging poles.
Also concerns in other countries
Concerns about the amount of charging stations available are not limited to the UK. It is also a source of concern in the rest of Europe. The European federation of car manufacturers ACEA, for example, warned of a shortage of charging capacity early this month. ACEA fears that the lack a lack of fast chargers is hampering the growth of electric driving in Europe.
ACEA points out that new CO2 targets for the automotive sector are part of the European Fit for 55 climate package. Car manufacturers are therefore focusing massively on electric driving. However, ACEA argues that all the 'hassle' surrounding electric vehicle charging should be removed to encourage use. Among other things, it is important that people see enough chargers in their immediate vicinity. Also, charging stations should be quick and easy to use.
25,000 fast chargers in EU
The EU currently has around 225,000 public charging points, according to ACAE figures. Only 25,000 of these are fast chargers. Many other charging points have low capacity. And in practice consist, for example, of a regular socket. This results in long charging times. ACEA argues that charging should be as convenient and simple as filling up with fossil fuels.
The Netherlands has 64,236 public charging points, according to ACEA. This ranks our country first in the European Union. The Netherlands has 2,429 fast chargers.
Author: Wouter Hoeffnagel
