One in three councils failing to provide accessible EV charging

Gareth Herincx

11 mins ago
Auto News

Disabled Vauxhall EV driver

More than a third of UK councils do not provide any on-street electric vehicle charging suitable for disabled drivers, according to new Freedom of Information research by Vauxhall.

Just 111 of the 289 councils who responded said they have no on-street charge points that have either been specifically adapted for disabled drivers, or any that follow the British Standards Institution’s PAS 1899:2022 – a national accessible charging standard co-sponsored by the Motability Foundation and UK Government.

The new research is part of the brand’s ongoing Electric Streets of Britain initiative, which aims to support the 40% of UK households without off-street parking.

“Limited access to public charging is known to be a barrier for Britain’s disabled motorists wishing to switch to EVs – particularly those who have no home charging capability,” said Steve Catlin, Managing Director, Vauxhall.

“The number of councils who do not provide charging provisions specifically for those with disabilities, as highlighted in our new research, is concerning – we need to ensure that all drivers, wherever they are, can easily find and access charge points if we are hoping to bring all drivers on the UK’s electrification journey.”

Through Electric Streets of Britain, a national database has been established so UK motorists who want to have on-street residential EV chargers installed near them can register their interest. So far, over 12,000 streets have been logged as needing on-street charging across the country.

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Charging Your EV at Home: A Guide to Choosing the Right Charging Equipment

Home / Auto Blog / Charging Your EV at Home: A Guide to Choosing the Right Charging Equipment

Guest Blogger

2 days ago
Auto Blog

With the rise of electric vehicles, many people are wondering how they can charge their electric cars most efficiently and cost-effectively at home. If you’re an EV owner interested in taking control of your electric car charging, this guide is for you! The type of equipment required to charge your vehicle will depend on a few factors such as the make, model, and battery capacity of your vehicle. This blog post will cover everything from charger types to purchasing advice to ensure that you get the best charging solution for your needs. Read on and learn all about how to select the right charger so that you can maximize efficiency while minimizing costs!

Overview of charging equipment options – Different types and features to consider

When it comes to EV charging, there are a lot of options to consider. You need to know if you’re getting the right equipment for the job and what features you should look for when making your choice. Level 1 chargers use 120 volts and only provide 2-5 miles of range per hour whereas Level 2 chargers use 240 volts and offer around 25 miles of range per hour. Additionally, most EV models now come with a built-in DC quick charger which can replenish up to 80% of your battery in 30 minutes or less. Knowing the time constraints associated with each type of charger will help you decide which fit your charging needs best. Furthermore, there are smart chargers that allow you to control power levels for faster charging times and more economical electricity bills – something definitely worth looking into!

Factors to consider when selecting a home charging station – Wall-mounted or portable, plugging into existing outlets or direct installation

Deciding on the right home charging station for your electric vehicle can feel like a daunting task, but it doesn’t have to be! There are two main types to think about: wall-mounted and portable. Wall-mounted stations offer a more permanent solution since they tend to stay in one spot and can usually carry more charge than portable options. With a portable option, you don’t need special installation and you have the flexibility of moving it wherever is most convenient. Another factor to consider is whether you should connect into existing outlets or install directly. Although plugging into existing outlets is less expensive and faster, a direct installation gives more power charging possibilities as well as surge safety.

Remember Maintenance Requirements – Regularly check & clean your charger to make sure it’s working properly

To ensure that your EV charger can perform as intended, it is important to remember to keep it up to date. This is particularly crucial if you want to keep using it regularly and avoid the possibility of having a faulty charger when you need it. Regularly inspecting and cleaning your charger can prevent you from being stranded due to a malfunctioning charger or any other issue relating to its maintenance.

You can prevent costly mistakes and have a dependable method of EV charging. While owning an EV has some limits, such as restricted range and charging station availability, there are several solutions to this difficulty. If you are aware of the many ways to charge your EV at home, you will be able to charge it with ease! Even if one option does not meet your requirements, there are countless more. Thus, instead of being anxious about being held back by this technology, be motivated to seek out new ways to power up and savor the benefits that an EV charger can provide.

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‘Dual fuel’ owners opt for electric over ICE for most journeys

Home / Auto News / ‘Dual fuel’ owners opt for electric over ICE for most journeys

Gareth Herincx

2 days ago
Auto News

Volvo C40 Recharge

Around a third of electric vehicle drivers run a petrol or diesel vehicle too, according to new research.

What’s more, the research from leading EV charge point mapping service Zap-Map, suggests that electric is chosen for the vast majority of journeys by ‘dual fuel’ drivers.

The type of journey electric is most likely to be favoured for is a local daily trip such as going shopping, the school run or eating out, for which 85% of the time dual fuel drivers will take the EV.

For commutes, 71% these drivers use their EV, and even for journeys of over 100 miles 67% will stick with electric.

Even for UK based holidays, likely to involve long cross-country journeys reliant on the public charging network, a majority of 55% will leave the ICE (Internal Combustion Engine) car at home.

The annual Zap-Map EV Charging Survey showed that most EV owners only own electric, with 49% driving just one fully electric vehicle, 8% two or more, while 2% own or regularly use one battery electric and one plug-in hybrid electric vehicle.

In addition, 25% drive one battery-electric car and one ICE vehicle, while the remainder drive a mixture of battery electric, plug-in hybrid and/or ICE vehicles.

Satisfaction levels for electric vehicles remain higher than for petrol and diesel. Less than 2% of EV drivers want to return to petrol or diesel compared to 9 out of 10 who would not consider trading for a conventional car.

The report shows 89% satisfaction for battery-electric vehicles and 83% for plug-in hybrid electric — both higher than 71% for petrol and diesel.

‘Our survey has shown for several years now that once you go electric, you don’t go back,” said Melanie Shufflebotham, COO & Co-Founder of Zap-Map.

“This year we’ve gone further to show that drivers who haven’t quite let their conventional car go yet still choose to drive their electric. Even for those long cross-country journeys where a charge stop is likely to be necessary.”

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Introducing the portable electric vehicle charger

Gareth Herincx

2 days ago
Auto News

ZipCharge Go electric vehicle power bank

ZipCharge, the portable EV charging experts, is stepping up plans to mass produce its first product – a revolutionary portable EV charger that allows anyone to charge their electric vehicles anywhere they park.

The appointment of global growth and investment specialists, Mouve and Co, is a major milestone towards ZipCharge’s mission to democratise the ownership of electric vehicles.

Mouve and Co is a renowned leader in advising rapidly growing start-ups in the sustainability and mobility sectors.

The lightweight ZipCharge Go power bank is the size of a compact wheeled suitcase and it can be charged at home or elsewhere using a standard domestic plug.

Using the retractable handle, users then wheel it to wherever they’ve parked their EV and plug it into the charging port, providing up to 20 miles of range (sufficient range for the average daily commute) in a little over 30 minutes.

ZipCharge Go electric vehicle power bank

Like Peloton and other hardware pioneers, ZipCharge will offer its hardware-as-a-service. Chargers will be available to purchase outright or on subscription for as little as £49 a month.

“Our mission it to make EV ownership accessible for all, removing all barriers for owners transitioning to electric vehicles,” said Jonathan Carrier, ZipCharge co-founder.

“This appointment is a key component of ZipCharge’s growth strategy as we rapidly move towards the on-sale date of the game-changing Go portable charger.

“It also boosts our ambitious plans to develop new products that will help transform the EV ecosystem, making electric vehicle ownership a possibility for everyone.”

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