The UK Charging Infrastructure Symposium Highlights
05/11/2024
The UK Charging Infrastructure Symposium brought together leaders from across the EV sector to address key challenges and chart a sustainable path forward for electric vehicle charging in the UK. Over the two days the event highlighted ongoing efforts, new approaches, and collaborative solutions necessary to support the nation's growing EV market.
Aaron Berry, deputy head of the office for Zero Emission Vehicles, Department for Transport, set the stage with an overview of current EV demand and bottlenecks, offering insights into future government strategy. "While the UK is making strides in EV adoption, infrastructure growth must keep pace," Berry emphasised. He outlined plans for investing in new charging technologies, aiming to support mass EV transportation and make EV adoption feasible for more drivers across the country.
Security was another critical issue addressed during the event. Amid the push for accessible, widespread charging infrastructure, charge point theft has become a growing problem. Shamala Evans-Gadgil, senior programme manager at Coventry City Council, highlighted the difficulty of installing chargers in areas where theft rates are high. “We work with local taxi drivers to identify suitable locations for chargers, but these spots are often targeted for theft, leaving residents frustrated,” she explained. Evans-Gadgil called for a "collaborative effort" with law enforcement to monitor theft and suggested innovations like sensor-equipped cables to prevent tampering. Matthew Ling, environment strategy programme manager at Suffolk County Council, added, "This issue is particularly challenging in urban areas where equipment is more vulnerable to theft."
Matt Croucher, chief commercial officer at Believ, pointed out that visibility can help deter crime. “We need to make chargers more visible and in plain sight, as this alone reduces the chance of theft,” he said. Croucher also emphasised the importance of convenience and ease of use, stressing that operators need to ensure frictionless access to charging infrastructure for drivers. "The experience has to be seamless if we want people to embrace EVs," he added.
In a panel on local council initiatives, participants explored how local authorities are using Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (LEVI) funds to roll out innovative charging solutions. Shamala Evans-Gadgil advocated for more knowledge-sharing across the public and private sectors, underscoring that collaboration is key to scaling EV infrastructure effectively. "The challenges we’re facing aren’t unique to one area or one council," she noted, "and by working together, we can find better solutions faster."
Kenny Scouller, head of sales at Yunex Traffic, in his session on Driving EV adoption, identified two main hurdles for building a reliable charging network: ensuring sufficient resources and adequately training service engineers. “The challenge isn’t just about having an engineer available in a timely manner,” Scouller said. “It’s about making sure the right parts are delivered on time and that our engineers are fully trained.” While range anxiety once dominated conversations around EVs, Scouller highlighted a shift towards "charger anxiety," with drivers more concerned about the operational status of chargers than the vehicle’s battery range. "Today’s EVs have longer ranges, but now people worry whether a charger will be available and functioning when they need it," he explained.
Graham Evans, director of supply chain & technology at S&P Mobility, presented data-driven insights into the decade ahead, predicting a steep increase in charging infrastructure demand. Evans stressed the need for reliable, high-performing chargers, suggesting that charge point operators (CPOs) should aim for a 97-99% reliability rate. "For widespread EV adoption, the network needs to be as dependable as petrol stations," he said.
Customer experience emerged as a central theme in a presentation by Sheran Guy, senior business development manager at Formula Space. Guy explained how design, accessibility, and comfort influence user satisfaction at charging hubs, suggesting that stations incorporate branding and green initiatives to create visually appealing and user-friendly spaces. “It’s not just about providing a place to charge; it’s about creating an experience that drivers want to return to,” he emphasised.
The day concluded with a forward-looking panel on the long-term EV charging market. Industry experts, including Paul Gambrell from Oxfordshire County Council and Tabatha Bailey from National Highways, discussed market expansion and the critical need for regulatory support. "Building a successful EV network isn’t just about installing chargers," Gambrell said. "It’s about creating a system that’s sustainable, resilient, and accessible for everyone." Panelists highlighted the importance of data-driven decisions, standardization across public sector properties, and public-private partnerships to drive innovation and achieve nationwide coverage.
Security was another critical issue addressed during the event. Amid the push for accessible, widespread charging infrastructure, charge point theft has become a growing problem. Shamala Evans-Gadgil, senior programme manager at Coventry City Council, highlighted the difficulty of installing chargers in areas where theft rates are high. “We work with local taxi drivers to identify suitable locations for chargers, but these spots are often targeted for theft, leaving residents frustrated,” she explained. Evans-Gadgil called for a "collaborative effort" with law enforcement to monitor theft and suggested innovations like sensor-equipped cables to prevent tampering. Matthew Ling, environment strategy programme manager at Suffolk County Council, added, "This issue is particularly challenging in urban areas where equipment is more vulnerable to theft."
Matt Croucher, chief commercial officer at Believ, pointed out that visibility can help deter crime. “We need to make chargers more visible and in plain sight, as this alone reduces the chance of theft,” he said. Croucher also emphasised the importance of convenience and ease of use, stressing that operators need to ensure frictionless access to charging infrastructure for drivers. "The experience has to be seamless if we want people to embrace EVs," he added.
In a panel on local council initiatives, participants explored how local authorities are using Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (LEVI) funds to roll out innovative charging solutions. Shamala Evans-Gadgil advocated for more knowledge-sharing across the public and private sectors, underscoring that collaboration is key to scaling EV infrastructure effectively. "The challenges we’re facing aren’t unique to one area or one council," she noted, "and by working together, we can find better solutions faster."
Kenny Scouller, head of sales at Yunex Traffic, in his session on Driving EV adoption, identified two main hurdles for building a reliable charging network: ensuring sufficient resources and adequately training service engineers. “The challenge isn’t just about having an engineer available in a timely manner,” Scouller said. “It’s about making sure the right parts are delivered on time and that our engineers are fully trained.” While range anxiety once dominated conversations around EVs, Scouller highlighted a shift towards "charger anxiety," with drivers more concerned about the operational status of chargers than the vehicle’s battery range. "Today’s EVs have longer ranges, but now people worry whether a charger will be available and functioning when they need it," he explained.
Graham Evans, director of supply chain & technology at S&P Mobility, presented data-driven insights into the decade ahead, predicting a steep increase in charging infrastructure demand. Evans stressed the need for reliable, high-performing chargers, suggesting that charge point operators (CPOs) should aim for a 97-99% reliability rate. "For widespread EV adoption, the network needs to be as dependable as petrol stations," he said.
Customer experience emerged as a central theme in a presentation by Sheran Guy, senior business development manager at Formula Space. Guy explained how design, accessibility, and comfort influence user satisfaction at charging hubs, suggesting that stations incorporate branding and green initiatives to create visually appealing and user-friendly spaces. “It’s not just about providing a place to charge; it’s about creating an experience that drivers want to return to,” he emphasised.
The day concluded with a forward-looking panel on the long-term EV charging market. Industry experts, including Paul Gambrell from Oxfordshire County Council and Tabatha Bailey from National Highways, discussed market expansion and the critical need for regulatory support. "Building a successful EV network isn’t just about installing chargers," Gambrell said. "It’s about creating a system that’s sustainable, resilient, and accessible for everyone." Panelists highlighted the importance of data-driven decisions, standardization across public sector properties, and public-private partnerships to drive innovation and achieve nationwide coverage.