Vauxhall-backed community charging could make EVs more viable

As concerns continue to be raised over how EV charging shortfalls could affect the adoption rate of low-carbon vehicles, one initiative could see millions of UK drivers have access to off-street charging.

JustPark, the founder of the parking app of the same name, has partnered with automaker Vauxhall to launch a community charging network that could see as many as 1,000 people renting out charging ports for up to 80,000 EV drivers.

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The "JustCharge" scheme could lower the barrier for adoption for electric vehicles as it would no longer be mandatory for EV owners to own a private charging station, particularly during the early days of EV adoption, before public infrastructure becomes more prevalent.

Cheaper costs could also increase the overall adoption of electric vehicles. Vauxhall will be encouraging existing EV owners to join the network, where they will rent out their charging stations to those who need regular access to charge near their homes or workplace.

“We know that most EV customers will charge their vehicle at home overnight – it’s the most convenient and cheapest charging solution. But around 40% of households in England alone do not have access to off-street parking and therefore the switch to electric isn’t the same for everyone", Vauxhall's managing director Paul Wilcox said in a statement.

"We believe [JustCharge] will make a genuine difference to encouraging more British drivers to go electric sooner – with all the environmental, financial and driving experience benefits that come with it", he added.

The UK is planning to ban the sale of all new petrol and diesel cars by 2030, which has raised concerns over the typically slow adoption rate of low-carbon driving. While existing combustion engines will be allowed to live out the rest of their natural lives, significant innovations will be required to bring prices down.

There is also an argument that the government should pump significant investments into its own public charging networks, which could keep "rent out" prices lower, keeping the barrier for entry accessible to as many people as possible.

At current prices, EV charging stations currently cost around £800 on average.

Electric vehicles are slowly becoming more and more popular and the looming ban appears to have spurred many into the switch. The RAC estimates there are currently around 395,000 EVs on Britain's roads, and over 300,000 plugin hybrids. The SMMT suggests that battery-electric vehicles adoption increased to an 11.6% market share in the UK in 2021.

JustPark estimates that EV sales outstrip public charging options by 500% and local authorities are failing to adapt systems to cater for the 40% of drivers who live in flats or homes without a drive.

One variable often ignored is how fewer and fewer people are owning homes and instead live in short-term rental accommodation due to house price inflation

“Having lived with an EV without a home charging point, I know the challenges of limited public charging capacity firsthand, especially trying to find one outside of London. Community Charging has the potential to ease the transition to EV for millions of car buyers", JustPark's head of EV networks, Matt Shirley said.

He claims the majority of UK councils do not have an EV charging strategy in place. Official government data suggests most local authorities have delivered "some" charging infrastructure to their communities, although there appears to be a lack of coherent direction at a national level, funding woes, and a lack of data to support sound strategies.

"Partnerships like this represent a viable and cost-effective route to addressing the dramatic charging shortfall as we transition to EVs", Shirley concluded.

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As it stands, the 5% of homes that currently have access to a charging point could actively double availability, JustPark claims, which could pave the way for millions more to adopt EVs in the future.

Both the public and private sectors have roles to play in the adoption of electric vehicles, and work still needs to be done to bring down the costs of the vehicles themselves, which are still considered something of a luxury.

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