Expanding on-street charging infrastructure for a more inclusive EV future

With roughly 25% of the UK population lacking access to a driveway – a figure that is much higher in cities and urban areas – there is significant demand for on-street charging solutions. This demand is expected to surge as electric vehicle prices decrease, their variety increases, and the UK government's 2030 petrol and diesel ban approaches.

While short-term portable chargers can play a role in alleviating this issue, combined with several charge point operators, such as Connected Kerb, Ubitricity, and Char.gy, that are focusing on building out on-street charging networks, the market still lags behind government targets and may not meet the anticipated demand, perpetuated by the fact that subsidies for EV purchasers have now stopped, which will further slow adoption. Despite there being a growing trend towards installing 22kW chargers on streets which offer faster charging, their limited number may not be practical for residential areas. Residents may need to swap parking bays and charging points late at night, which is not ideal given the scarcity of on-street parking.

Local authorities should prioritise the available power for the installation of more 7.4kW chargers in residential areas, as these can be used overnight and better align with the average EV owner's charging habits. Additionally, innovative startups such as Kerbo Charge and Trojan offer solutions for households without off-street parking to safely access power from their homes, avoiding VAT charges associated with commercial charge points.

Even with this though, it would involve significant investment to be able to deliver against the needs of the number of electric vehicles that would be on the road. If we take pre-pandemic numbers on a car’s daily mileage, which is 18 miles per day and assume that all available charge points can supply a minimum of 7kW, and that the average combined winter/summer efficiency of an EV is 3miles/kWh, each vehicle would need just under one hour of charging per day (Source: What Car?). What this translates to, assuming 100% efficiency and the correct utilisation rate of the charging infrastructure, is the need for at least one charge point for every 24 EVs. Significantly more than the current one to 36,000 car charging point ratio. Furthermore, even if the one in 24 rate was possible, this does not take into account how people use their cars and the parking that is available. The reality is that most owners park their vehicles overnight (12 hours) and/or use the four-hour London parking limit, which means that each charge point could only ever serve four vehicles per day resulting in the need for one charge point every four EVs.

What is clear is that charging speed is not as much of an issue, as most vehicles are parked for longer periods than the average daily mileage requirement – so a push to install more 7kW chargers would both be more effective and less costly than the current 22kW charging infrastructure rollout.

EV Cables can contribute to this market by offering UK-made extra-long charging cables, allowing drivers to safely reach a socket even if they cannot park adjacent to a charger. Our cables can be used in conjunction with solutions like Kerbo Charge or when running the cable along the gutter. As the only current UK provider of such cables, we have seen a huge demand from city residents, including Uber drivers, who often struggle to park next to a charger.

Whilst the desire to deploy a seamless EV infrastructure to support all vehicles is not as straightforward as potentially anticipated, to address the on-street charging challenge and create a more inclusive EV future, there are a number of strategies that may expedite this process and remove some of the current barriers to adoption:

• Encourage local authorities to focus on 7.4kW chargers for residential areas, offering overnight charging that aligns with the needs of most EV owners
• Support innovative startups like Kerbo Charge and Trojan, which provide safe, cost-effective solutions for households without off-street parking
• Advocate for public-private partnerships that facilitate the expansion of on-street charging networks, ensuring access to charging for a wider range of drivers
• Raise awareness of EV Cables' UK-made extra-long charging cables, which enable drivers to safely access charging points even when parked at a distance

By focusing on these strategies, we are in a strong position to help create a more inclusive EV charging infrastructure that accommodates the diverse needs of all drivers. As electric vehicles become more mainstream, it is crucial to ensure that charging solutions are accessible to everyone, regardless of their parking situation. At EV Cables, we are committed to supporting this vision by offering innovative products that cater to the unique challenges faced by urban EV drivers.