Competition and Markets Authority to investigate EV charging

As part of the Government’s plan to bring forward the ban of traditional petrol and diesel cars to 2030, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is to investigate the electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure.

The roll out of a proper charging infrastructure is regarded as critical to the effective adoption of EVs – range anxiety is often cited as a key reason for not switching.
Currently there are 20,000 chargepoints available to drivers – but with the sector due to expand to meet demand, the CMA wants to ensure the market is developing in a way that provides trust in the service and to address any competition issues.

The CMA says it work will centre on two broad themes:

• how to develop a competitive sector while also attracting private investment to help the sector grow
• how to ensure people using electric vehicle chargepoints have confidence that they can get the best out of the service

Decarbonisation of the UK and the rapid adoption of zero emission vehicles is considered part of the Government’s commitment to the hosting of COP26 – dedicated to addressing Climate Change – which takes place in Glasgow between 01-12 November 2021.

Andrea Coscelli, Chief Executive of the CMA, said:

“Making the switch to electric vehicles is key to helping the UK become greener, which is why it’s so important that everyone has the confidence to get behind the move. Being able to easily stop off at a petrol station is a standard part of a journey and consumers must trust that electric chargepoints will provide a similarly straight-forward service.

“By getting involved early as electric vehicles and chargepoints are still developing, the CMA can make sure consumers are treated fairly now and in the future.”

The CMA said it wanted to complete its findings well before its 01 December 2021 deadline. The market study will look at charging in a range of different settings including home and off-street parking; on-street parking; workplace; hub and destination; and en-route charging.