Over the last few years, the number of EV drivers in the UK have increased exponentially. In 2020 there were over 430,000 electric cars on UK roads, according to the Department of Transport. The number of EV drivers will only increase in the years to come.
The government has committed to banning the sale of new diesel and petrol vehicles by 2030, and to achieving net zero by 2050. To achieve these environmentally friendly goals, the government has introduced different schemes and programs to educate the public and incentivise them to make the switch.
The most effective funding option available to Britons is the Office For Low Emission Vehicles (OLEV) grant. The OLEV grant can cover up to 75% or up to £350 of the cost of EV charge point installation.
However, the increase in EV drivers has increased the UK’s electricity demand. To manage the increased demand, EV charge points will be subjected to a nine-hour cut off. The new cut-off aims to ease the pressure on the National Grid, but what does it mean for you?
Below we discuss the new National Grid cut-off times for EV charge points, to help you plan your charging arrangement moving forwards.
How Will the New Peak Time Cut-Off Work?
The new peak time cut-offs will prevent EV charging between 8am to 11am and 4pm to 10pm. The cut-off will only affect workplace EV charging and home chargers. You will still be able to charge your vehicle during the cut-off time at a public charge point or at motorways across the UK.
EV drivers could also face randomised charging delays when there is a high charging demand. The randomised delay could last up to 30 minutes, which means that EV drivers should plan their charges accordingly.
How Can You Schedule EV Charging?
The pressure on the National Grid will only increase as more UK drivers make the switch to electric cars. The government is aware of this mounting problem and has encouraged EV drivers to charge smartly.
EV drivers should invest in dedicated home EV charge point installation, instead of using traditional exterior wall sockets to charge their electric cars. All new EV charge points in the UK are ‘smart chargers’. Smart EV charge points allow EV drivers to schedule their vehicle chargers automatically, using their smartphones.
The scheduled charging also means that you will be able to adjust your charging schedule to work with the cut-off times. For example, if you work from 9 am to 5 pm daily, you could schedule your chargers for 12 am to 6 am.
Why Choose Applegarth for EV Charge Point Installation?
The new cut-off times have emphasised the importance of EV charge point installations. Home charge points, such as on-street residential charger points, are essential for powering your electric vehicle. Having a smart EV charger of your own will help you be prepared for any random delays or cut-off times.
At Applegarth, we encourage our clients to invest in solar panel installation to power their electric vehicles. Using solar power will reduce your reliance on the National Grid, which will give you more EV charging freedom.
Applegarth has been installing solar panels and EV charge points since 2006. Our residential and commercial clients have come to trust our service because we provide high-quality installations every time.
Get in touch with us today to find out more about your renewable energy options. You can call us at 0151 649 8350 or email us at info@applegarth.co.uk.
