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Surging demand puts existing EV charging infrastructure capacity at risk

27th September 2024

Legrand

Sarah Kavanagh

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Electric vehicle (EV) charge point operators (CPOs) must start planning now to meet higher technical standards and prepare for a significant surge in demand, according to Legrand UK & Ireland. In its newly published white paper, Powering the Zero Emissions Transition, Legrand explores the pressing challenges facing the EV charging sector in 2024 following a sharp increase in EV adoption.

Between January and March 2024, the UK saw over 1.72 million plug-in EVs registered, surpassing the total of 1.56 million for all of 2023. With this rapid uptake, CPOs are under pressure to upgrade their infrastructure to meet regulatory changes and rising consumer needs.

One of the immediate challenges is the November 2024 deadline, mandated by the Public Charge Point Regulations 2023, requiring all public EV chargers of 8kW and above to support contactless payments. Many existing charging points rely on app-based payments, forcing drivers to juggle multiple CPO memberships to access the full range of charging options. Legrand's white paper outlines the steps CPOs need to take to meet this regulatory deadline and discusses broader issues like load management, equipment interoperability, and the need for high-quality infrastructure as demand grows.

Adding to the pressure, the market shift towards EVs with larger battery capacities to meet consumer demand for greater range is making low-capacity home chargers increasingly impractical. This shift is likely to increase reliance on high-capacity public chargers, further straining the existing infrastructure.

Paul Martin, Lead Marketing Manager for Power Distribution at Legrand, emphasised the urgency of addressing these challenges: “It won’t be long before the majority of new cars in the UK rely on regular access to charge points. Many UK homes lack driveways, meaning a significant portion of vehicles will depend on public charging. This transition represents a major shift in the UK’s driving landscape, requiring a rethinking of infrastructure to meet both regulatory demands and future business opportunities. Planning must begin now.”

With the EV revolution in full swing, CPOs are urged to tackle the growing need for increased power supply and payment options, ensuring they can meet demand and position themselves for future growth.

For more insights into the challenges facing CPOs, download Legrand’s white paper here.