PRA warns government over premature mandating of charge points installation

At the end of October, the Petrol Retailers Association (PRA) was invited to give oral evidence to the Automated and Electric Vehicles Bill Committee.

The Bill proposes giving Government to power to mandate the installation of electric vehicle charge points in large fuel retailers and motorway service areas (MSAs).

Brian Madderson, chairman of the PRA comments, “During the session the PRA presented a number of arguments against mandating these charge points.

“Subsidy schemes for home and workplace charging equipment exist, whilst there is no assistance for fuel retailers, yet fuel retailers are being legislated against. Rapid Charging Infrastructure is unaffordable and the return on investment is not sufficient. To increase the uptake, a government grant for retailers needs to be provided.

“We feel that mandating the implementation of EV charge points too early would be dangerous to businesses affected. A standardised charging option has yet to emerge and the technology is still in the primitive stages of development”.

In addition, the PRA will be providing written evidence to the committee next week.