Andy Hughes
With the roll-out of Connected Kerb’s nationwide public smart electric vehicle (EV) chargepoints, drivers can schedule charging overnight, benefitting from off-peak tariffs of £0.45 per kWh.
If the predicted 11 million EVs are set to be driving on UK roads by 2030, there needs to be a major increase in charging infrastructure, particularly home charging.
One benefit of home charging is that drivers can take advantage of cheaper electricity tariffs at off-peak times. This not only saves them money, but also helps reduce pressure on the grid.
UK charge point operator Connected Kerb has set itself the ambitious goal of making smart charging publicly accessible through a nationwide roll-out of charging points.
The roll-out, set to begin this month, will see the majority of Connected Kerb’s chargepoints – 6,000 already installed and 4,000 to be deployed this year – activated to be capable of smart charging by 2025.
Using these public chargepoints, drivers can benefit from the off-peak overnight tariffs of £0.45 per kWh. Connected Kerb claims this is 22.4% lower than the average rate of the UK’s fast charging network.
These lower costs will enable drivers to save up to £222 per year on charging – the equivalent of 495 free EV miles. Collectively, it amounts to annual savings of £1.5bn for drivers by 2030.
Ben Boutcher-West, chief digital officer at Connected Kerb, said: “Public smart charging is the catalyst we need to create a fairer, greener and cheaper charging network.
“We know that just under two-thirds of people in the UK don’t have access to a home charger, which is why we’re committed to levelling the playing field between those who can access smart charging and those who can’t.”
Connected Kerb
To schedule a charge drivers will need to download Connected Kerb’s mobile app. The app displays recommended chargepoints, simple payment methods and live updates on the charge, alongside other tips and tricks to get the most out of each charging session.
The first areas to benefit from Connected Kerb’s smart charging roll-out will be the regions of West Sussex, Lincoln, Scarborough, Ryedale and Sunderland.
Joy Dennis, cabinet member for Highways and Transport at West Sussex County Council, said: “This roll-out is a genuine step towards a more equitable and sustainable charging system for West Sussex. Our agreement with Connected Kerb to launch smart charging capability across the county will act as a roadmap for other councils, increasing access to smart charging for all.”
