EV Charging
These successes will likely spur more cities to implement similar measures, which will not only improve air quality but, in turn, will lead to more consumers considering EVs as a cleaner, greener alternative.
However, one important challenge for the EV industry is the skills gap. The climate change committee has projected that by 2030 there will be 100,000 new jobs in EV and battery manufacturing. However, the current workforce pipeline falls very short of this. The Institute of the Motor Industry says that 58,000 people are qualified to work on electric vehicles and predicts a shortage of 3,000 technicians by 2032 and 16,000 by 2035. But this challenge can easily be turned into an opportunity – with good planning and educational infrastructure, there are many young people leaving full-time education who could be trained to fill this gap. One solution is for manufacturers, repair companies and charging infrastructure companies to start investing heavily in training programs, apprenticeships, and partnerships with educational institutions as soon as possible to build the skilled workforce needed.
Charging challenges
Another key focus area for the industry, and one that is very much on consumers’ minds, is the state of the country-wide charging infrastructure. There are now 72,594 electric vehicle public charging points across the UK, and across 36,316 charging locations, but current pricing models create barriers to growth. With some innovative thinking, there is huge scope for growth here.
Rapid public charging stations can cost up to eight times more per kWh than home charging. This is a huge problem for people who live in
“Rapid public charging stations can cost up to eight times more per kWh than home charging. This is a huge problem for people who live in flats and terraced houses.”
flats and terraced houses, for whom domestic charging may not be an option. New pricing strategies are desperately needed, and they may be best built by collaboration between charging networks, energy providers, and government
bodies. The new labour government has pledged to increase investment in charging infrastructure by £200 million, which is a step in the right direction, but much more is needed, as well as proper joined-up strategies to make charging cheaper and more accessible across the country.
An exciting opportunity lies in the increased demand for renewable energy. As more people turn to EVs, demand on the national grid will increase, too. The government can address this by investing in grid upgrades and incentivising EV owners who charge their vehicles using solar energy and feed surplus power back into the grid. This would not only ease pressure on the grid but also promote a more sustainable, circular energy system.
Another thing the government can do is to make sure that the correct information for those considering switching to EVs is freely available. Rumours and anecdotes about safety, range and costs are rife. A serious, concentrated campaign will help reassure potential buyers that EVs have an excellent safety record, can offer ranges over 300 miles, and are environmentally a much better option than combustion vehicles. The EV sector is growing faster than ever, and while challenges remain, they are not a barrier. They are, in fact, opportunities - for the growth of a clean, sustainable industry. For new jobs, new skills, and new infrastructure. Initiatives like free shopping centre charging and council tax rebates will make EV ownership much more appealing. Such programs should be standardised across regions to create a consistent, supportive environment for EV adoption.
ewnews.co.uk
February 2025 electrical wholesaler | 25
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