You Won't Believe Where UK's 300,000 Charge Points Are Going!

[@TheElectricOracleChannel]

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[@barriewilliams4526]

I don't see the problem, but then, I do have a petrol-powered Toyota.

[@TheElectricOracleChannel]

That'll be why then :)

[@davidsmith8728]

Of course London has the highest density of chargers. London is the centre of the Universe - according to some people.

[@TheElectricOracleChannel]

Haha, not mine :)

[@karmanline2005]

The real two tier story is that for some, with a drive, home charger, solar and/or home batteries, the cost of running the house and car is much lower but for people with no off street parking and insufficient funds the costs of home and car energy costs are higher.

[@grolfe3210]

So the home charger option is viable. For the others should the rest of us be made to pay for the person with "insufficient funds"?

[@karmanline2005]

@grolfe3210 I'm not saying they should be, I'm just lamenting that the situation is unequal. Imo there should be on street charging for terraced houses, with geofenced billing so that people could pay for power through their domestic billing, on their normal domestic tariff. A 3kw type 2 in lampposts would suffice, as overnight it would be enough for residents but too slow for non residents to bother with. They would also be less of a drain on the grid substation.

[@TheElectricOracleChannel]

That’s a great point, Karmanline. The divide between those with access to home charging and renewable energy setups versus those without is a real issue. Do you think more incentives or public infrastructure could help bridge this gap?

[@IanBennetts]

I drove to Penzance and back, to Somerset, last weekend in dreadful weather. Absolutely no problems finding chargers along the way. Mostly used Tesla superchargers at 41p/kWh. I don't have a Tesla.

[@TheElectricOracleChannel]

Great to hear about your successful journey! Tesla's open Supercharger network at 41p/kWh is making long-distance EV travel much more practical, regardless of what brand you drive. Nice to see the infrastructure working as intended.

[@veronicathecow]

3 x 7Kw chargers at our local recycling centre been there 3 years and never been connected.

[@TheElectricOracleChannel]

That’s frustrating, Veronica! It’s a shame to see infrastructure go to waste when it could be so useful. Do you think this is down to poor planning, or are there deeper issues holding up progress?

[@veronicathecow]

@TheElectricOracleChannel 7Kw chargers are no use there, no one will be parking up at a recycling centre for more than 20 mins or so. Last time I was there there was 20ft container parked on the 3 car park spaces. Stupidly they have loads of power and a huge wind turbine and are about to get a big solar park. They could easily run some decent chargers and they are on a major road leading to west Wales. A48 Nant y caws.

[@SteveLomas-k6k]

Bottom line is; the reason EVs and chargers have to be subsidized by the taxpayer (whether they have a car or not) is because they cost more to build than they are worth. Normal cars, filling stations the oil industry has always been able to pay for itself, and then some.

[@TheElectricOracleChannel]

True.

[@pstanyer1]

My nearest charger is 16.2miles away. Very handy. The nearest fast charger is even further 23miles

[@st200ol]

Where do you live? Just to the nearest town, postcode not required.

[@TheElectricOracleChannel]

That's actually not too bad.

[@st200ol]

@@TheElectricOracleChannel I got no reply to my question so the OP is probably still frantically trying to find somewhere that is 16.2 miles from a charger. 😀 I’m at the new Knebworth Gridserve electric forecourt this morning it’s about 10 miles from me. I don’t need to charge but I fancied a coffee. There are a few cars here charging. Oddly for the second time that I’ve been here the Tesla superchargers are full up.

[@garymacpherson1535]

The chargers are not the problem, it is the cost to use them! The cost needs to be regulated as users are being ripped off.

[@TheElectricOracleChannel]

I agree, Gary-they really do rip us off in the UK. Charging costs need better regulation to make EVs a viable option for everyone. Do you think this will improve as EV adoption increases, or will it remain a challenge?

[@garymacpherson1535]

@TheElectricOracleChannel I think it will remain a challenge, as those in power that can push regulation obviously either don't drive an EV or care!

[@brucemacaulay4331]

Network in Scotland is pretty good. I’ve failed to find a charger when I needed it, ie had to wait 3 times in 35000 miles.

[@djtaylorutube]

Newsflash: Charge Place Scotland is closing, charger owners need to transition to other networks by the end of 2025.

[@TheElectricOracleChannel]

Wow!

[@26dipp56]

Frozen out again. No contactless card card and I do not want them.

[@TheElectricOracleChannel]

Ahhh, crap. That sounds frustrating, lack of simple payment options like contactless cards can really hold things back. Do you think better integration of payment methods could drive faster EV adoption?

[@grahamleiper1538]

"up to 150kW"? Been charging at 250kW for years. Max CCS speed is 350kW, best I've seen me get is 260kW though (very briefly). Wales is probably the real charger desert. Highlands of Scotland also a bit short on ultra rapids. Think the issue in remote areas is any charge points installed need to be maintained, and currently that can mean overnight stays and return trips for engineers after inspecting and ascertaining parts required. Add in grid connections - although putting chargers at dams and windfarms would maybe resolve that. Rural areas more likely have off street parking and home charging. Bigger issue is botched smart meter rollout preventing people getting on the decent overnight tariffs. That's a proper postcode lottery - far more than Londoners being stuck with public charging because they don't have driveways.

[@TheElectricOracleChannel]

Great points, Graham! Remote areas like the Highlands and Wales definitely face unique challenges with charger maintenance and grid connections. Installing chargers near dams or wind farms could be a clever solution. Do you think improving smart meter rollouts for better overnight tariffs could help bridge the gap for rural EV users?

[@grahamleiper1538]

@TheElectricOracleChannel allowing meter connectivity in North of England and Scotland that's not based on analogue TV frequencies but instead mobile coverage like further South (essentially using SMETS1 meters where SMETS2 won't work), or even encrypted and using home broadband (where available) would make it less of a postcode lottery.

[@AndyThirtover]

Slow charging is good for EV batteries .. I'm 10 years into EVs and charge 99% at home. We keep our cars for 3 years, and they tend to go back with either the same of better range than new. Fast charging is the thing to do rarely. Long journeys can be split by lunch and the like. Charge an hour rate that is below the capacity of your EV battery (also known as 1C). 44-50kW is the sweet spot - plenty of charge, no slow down after the 80% mark and an hour gives about 150m extra range. Chargers up north is an issue (agreed). Lots of chargers in London makes complete sense - that's where we need to drop the pollution. As always the world is more complex that we think!

[@stuartburns8657]

Returned with better range, stop it lol. A rather typical 'I'm all right' home charging EV owner. Do you know many other EV owners?

[@TheElectricOracleChannel]

You’re probably right, Andy. Slow charging does seem to be better for battery health, and splitting long journeys with a lunch break makes sense for most drivers.

[@stuartburns8657]

@@TheElectricOracleChannel The reason I asked Andy that question is when pushed, you unfortunately get a kind of insufferable smugness about how much they are saving, and that everyone should more to an EV. When you ask (and they have the integrity to answer) how many of their EV owning friends CAN'T home charge the answer is zero. The only exception was a chap who lived in a flat. However, due to his rather well paid job, this employers offered free work place (destination) charging lol. EV's ARE a great technology. It just currently is too dependent on where you are on the economic and demographic map.

[@watto7728]

A good enough reason not to visit London or the south east..

[@TheElectricOracleChannel]

Fair point. The congestion and challenges in London and the southeast can be frustrating. Do you think improving infrastructure in these areas could change your mind, or is it more about the overall experience?

[@just-a-yt-guy]

Just a personal opinion - reduce the number of funny quips (I lost count) as they just get in the way of the message. Otherwise good.

[@TheElectricOracleChannel]

Thanks for the feedback. Just being myself I guess.

[@ianemery2925]

You dont "wait" for your 7KW charger, you plug it in when you get home and unplug in the morning; and even peak rate electricity currently costs under 30p per KWh, and substantially less on any of the MANY cheap rate tariffs. Or plug it in at the supermarket carpark - AND GO SHOPPING. Or plug in at the Metro station, AND GO TO WORK. The Rapid charger issue is more of a problem, there are huge gaps in coverage; although I can find more than enough for my elderly, 90 mile range EV, even through the official not-spots like North Wales, and my personal not-spot (for CHAdeMo), the Cotswolds. In other words, a large part of what you are saying - is wrong.

[@stuartburns8657]

No, it's not. EV's whilst a great technology, are a two tier solution. Those who can access cheap, convenient and reliable home charging, and those who can't. Public charging numbers and capabilities outside of London is still a joke.

[@ianemery2925]

@@stuartburns8657 I live on disability, 140 miles away from the outskirts of London, in a Rural town with one ancient 50KW rapid charger; drive an 8 year old EV with a maximum range of ~90 miles, and that is equipped with a CHAdeMO socket (2 points short of getting a new EV via Mobility). I dont have ANY issues getting around the country, visiting Weymouth, Harlech, central Manchester, Heathrow and Gatwick in the last 12 months; all 250+ mile journeys (Gatwick was a 440 mile round-trip, due to all the major roads through the Cotswolds being closed all weekend). If I can get around in my old car, newer cars with CCS2 sockets must find it a breeze, as there are far more chargers for them, usually 10+ for every CHAdeMO location. Rapid chargers are only really of any use along motorway corridors and a few other long, dual carriageway routes, most tourist areas, Metro stations and inner city car parks can often get by with 7KW "destination" chargers, that can top up a battery while the driver is doing whatever it is that got them to visit the area. The only people needing a rapid charger every ten miles are the pillocks in BMW SUVs, who have a massive battery to compensate for their pathetic 2.5miles/KWh efficiency. You are spreading FUD for viewer clicks, and have been downvoted as such.

[@TheElectricOracleChannel]

Fair point, Ian, but I still think there’s room for improvement. Rapid charging gaps, especially in places like North Wales and the Cotswolds, highlight the need for better coverage. Do you think strategic investments in ultra-rapid chargers could address these issues effectively?

[@TheElectricOracleChannel]

I would mostly agree, Stuart. EVs do seem to create a two-tier system between those with home charging access and those relying on public infrastructure. Do you think improving public charging outside of London could help level the playing field?

[@stuartburns8657]

@@TheElectricOracleChannel I'm fortunate enough to know live in a small 4 bed detached house, so if and when I go EV (still have 2 x diesels) I'll be part of the somewhat smug 'I'm alright brigade' However, prior to that, we lived in an area dominated by terraced housing. I think ultimately either the battery technology needs to get so good that it's only 5-10 mins to fully charge a relatively cheap 5-10k ice equivalent car, OR some street / lamppost style charging is ubiquitous. However, IF said charging is still 3 or 4 times more expensive than home charging, you have a big barrier. Imagine now, that if in the UK your petrol or diesel was 25p a litre if you home included a driveway, but if your home didn't it was the same £1.40 a litre? Two tier cost system? To expand, last year I tentatively began looking at replacing our main family car, a Nissan Qashqai. Including a few k trade-in it cost me £13.5, the most I've ever spent. This in the nearly 6 years of ownership has turned out to be a trouble free vehicle. Dirty cheap insurance, 55mpg with it's 1.5l diesel engine. Ulez exempt (2016) and £20 a year VED. So the closest size and spec was the 2nd gen MGZS EV. Ignoring the fact that to get close to the £13k for the Nissan you had to start at say 55k+ miles, it wasn't that compelling. Why? Same house, but significantly more to insure. Looming EV tax changes, now I think in 2025 it would ironically cost £190?! As I said, I could home charge, but when I started looking from the perspective of someone who couldn't, I was honestly aghast. The MG was a long range 72.6kwh model. They claimed 276 miles, I assumed 250. So against the Nissan, which for £75 of fuel gets me 500+ miles, but let's call it 500. Public charging at what zappa says is the national public charging avg of 55p kwh. 72.6 x 2 = 145.2kwh or 500 miles. 145.2kwh's x .55p = £79.86 !!! So more to insure, more to fuel (not home charging) and for many, more to tax) Now many will have more modest mpg ice vehicles, but even then I think the best we'll achieve for the 'have nots' is much more inconvenience when fueling, and at best the slightly cheaper charging assuming baseline 30mpg. Long winded way of saying I don't know what the answer is! Private equity funds public charging, and they want a return, and ongoing profits. I think the simple truth is, outside of massive government public charging price subsidies or a major change to get cheap time of day home charging prices, those who really need the lower EV fueling costs are least able to access it.

[@rosewell8005]

I don't buy into your south east good, rest of the UK bad. A drive to the south coast will make you think again.

[@TheElectricOracleChannel]

Maybe. it is getting better, I'd agree with that.

[@songs1021]

This is roblox, I'll never get that time back.

[@TheElectricOracleChannel]

Thanks for watching, anyway :)

[@grolfe3210]

Seems to be a huge feeling of entitlement from the presenter! Sorry if the rest of us would rather spend money on things like the NHS instead of charging points for you and your twatty tesla. Just accept you can only drive it as far as it will go and get home again and charge it up overnight when there is spare capacity in the electric grid. hat next? Wait until you find out that some remote areas dont have a phone signal, fast internet, ubers or just eat delivery!

[@lessheppard]

If you had a brain you’d be dangerous

[@TheElectricOracleChannel]

Thanks for your comment, Grolfe, and yes, the NHS could absolutely use more investment. However, comparing it to EV infrastructure isn’t exactly apples to apples.

[@solentbum]

Does this man live in the same wolrd as me? I have travled all around England Wales and Scotland , and charged my car when I wanted at the speed I wanted without problems. But then I am not trying to be a KZbin comedian.

[@ianrob4760]

I would back him in one area I drove in, we went for a drive around lincolnshire etc and started to run out and all we could find was 50kw very old BP pulse ones. Now it was fine as such but hardly ideal and in staffordshire close to me there is a paucity of anything above 50kw

[@TheElectricOracleChannel]

I think your experience might differ from many, Solentbum. While you’ve had smooth travels charging across England, Wales, and Scotland, others often report gaps in rapid charging infrastructure. Do you think your success is down to planning or just a matter of luck with charger availability?

[@TheElectricOracleChannel]

100%. I think many have experienced something like this.

[@solentbum]

@@TheElectricOracleChannel Its probably down to a combination of things. I mostly use Zap Map for planning ahead, I don't wait until I am desperate before charging I often charge when I am going to stop for other reasons, such as charge points at a food outlet or shopping area. I have a good memory and a willingness to be flexible, if at one place the chargers are fully in use I drive on to the next one , It's why I never run flat before looking for a charger. I normally ignore the warnings on the various apps showing 'out of order connector fault', you would be amazed how often that translates to 'I'm a complete plonker and cannot do simple acts like plugging in a car', I often find such chargers in full working order when I arrive. I started to drive in the days when there were few evening petrol stations outside of London, the present charge point situation where most are 24/7 is so much easier . And my EV has a longer range then did my first ICE car! Did you ever try to buy petrol on a Sunday evening in Wales in the 1960's (or a beer?) Hope you have a Good Christmas break and a Happy New Year.

[@ianrob4760]

@@TheElectricOracleChannel it needs to be everywhere and cheaper and including rural, don’t need 350 but certainly a few 150’s in rural towns

[@rankinr]

My experience of driving up and down the country in an EV for the last 2 years….. it conflicts completely with what you say. I am based in the south east. I think you are just being negative to get views.

[@TheElectricOracleChannel]

Thanks for your comment, but I think you'll find that stats would say different.