chargepoints
The UK Government stated that government-funded electric vehicle home chargepoints must include smart technology. Credit: Crown copyright.

The UK Government has recommended the installation of smart electric chargepoints as part of its net zero emissions target.

Under the announcement made by the UK Department of Transportation, all government-funded chargepoints will use smart technology from 1 July. This was originally announced in December last year.

The new rules require any chargepoints installed under the government’s electric vehicle homecharge scheme to be accessed remotely. In addition, chargepoints must be capable of receiving, interpreting and reacting to a signal.

Through the latest initiative, the government aims to reduce the impact of electric vehicles on the electricity system, cut demands of electricity during peak hours and slash operational costs for consumers by encouraging off-peak charging.

The latest announcement comes after the UK became the first G7 country to legislate for zero net emissions.

UK Roads Minister Michael Ellis said: “The government wants the UK to be the best place in the world to build and own an electric vehicle, with leadership and innovation helping us pave the way to a zero emission future.

“We’re in the driving seat of the zero-emission revolution. Our new requirements for chargepoints could help keep costs down, ensuring the benefits of green transport are felt by everyone.”

The government has found around 200 chargepoint models from 25 manufacturers to be eligible after 1 July. These units have been marked on the government’s online chargepoint model approval list.

In July last year, the UK Government issued its ‘Road to Zero’ strategy, which all new cars and vans were required to be effectively of zero-emission by 2040.

Measures mentioned in the strategy represents approximately £1.5bn of investment.