We need to take the cost and complexity out of going electric to supercharge EVs
Much of the national conversation around the clean energy and net zero transition has become dominated by cost.
The same is true for households. I know this because the business I lead, Pod, has been serving the electric vehicle (EV) community for more than 15 years. While more drivers are making the switch to electric, we cannot be complacent.
Pod supports the Standard's Leading the Charge campaign, which backs incentives like the Cleaner Vehicle Discount (CVD), exempting EVs from the congestion charge in London. We believe that initiatives that support drivers to make the switch are crucial and we would certainly welcome the extension of CVD beyond 2025.
If we truly want to supercharge switching, both the industry and the government have to be on the side of drivers. We need policies to incentivise and reward the right behaviours, but we also need to introduce propositions that take the cost and complexity out of going electric.
How we charge, when and at what cost are big questions facing would-be switchers. As the UK's largest charging network, with over 250,000 customers, we know that more than anything, people want to manage their costs, which are only getting higher in an ongoing cost of living crisis.
Greener options need to be simple and affordable, rather than another thing for people to worry about. For many, the increase in their home electricity bills can be a concern when making the move to an EV.
Plus, they worry about the cost and reliability of being able to charge when they're away from home. Solutions are emerging to help with such cost challenges and anxieties, however.
Vehicles typically spend 96% of the time stationary. That's why in most instances, EV charging at long-dwell locations, such as at home, is key to making life with an EV affordable, tapping into cheaper rates when there's less demand on the electricity grid, for example.
Furthermore, new options such as subscription models are key to more of us embracing EVs in a cost-effective way. It's why last month we disrupted the market with the launch of a new subscription offering that removes significant upfront costs of around £1,000 to install a home charger.
Not only does a subscription spread the initial cost outlay, but included in our offering is cashback to cover the costs of up to 7,500 miles of charging - that's the average mileage UK drivers cover each year - helping to offset the increase to home electricity bills.
Public charging is another key part of the jigsaw, and we need to do more to sync experiences between home and public charging so that it's simple for people to charge depending on their lifestyles and routines.
Pod has partnered with Tesco to allow Clubcard members to collect points when they top-up their electric car on a visit to the supermarket. It's another way to charge more affordably, providing more ongoing incentives to make the switch. We are working on more partnerships with major retailers and brands to help unlock the next wave of EV adoption.
We should not forget that going electric enables drivers to do their bit for sustainability, one of the fundamental benefits of green mobility. We power more than 5 million electric miles a day and to date have helped drivers save over 45,500 tonnes of CO2. By flexing EV charging in a way that helps the grid balance the increasing demands on it, we also contribute to energy security and can continue to keep costs low.
Exemptions from costs like the CVD provides will always matter. But they need to be accompanied by lower cost solutions for everyday electrification needs. A much wider range of help and support will be necessary to help households go electric at scale and keep the grid stable.
Melanie Lane is CEO of Pod, one of the UK's leading electric vehicle charging providers
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