With 215,000 pure-electric vehicles and 455,000 plug-in hybrids now registered on UK roads, Jordan Brompton, co-founder of myenergi, discusses the national transition to electrification and explores the long-term opportunity it provides for electrical installers.
Following a lengthy consultation, the government has confirmed that no new petrol and diesel cars will be sold in the UK after 2030. Hybrid vehicles will be given a grace period until 2035, following which only pure-electric models will be available to purchase from new through dealer forecourts.
While the cut-off date may seem like a lifetime away, the transition is happening faster than ever predicted. Indeed, according to insight from The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), one in ten new cars is already now an EV. Furthermore, with numerous OEMs canning the development of combustion engines and imposing their own deadlines of range electrification, this impressive pace will only accelerate.
But what do these statistics mean for electrical installers and how can they benefit from the UK’s transition away from fossil fuels? The answer, of course, lies in vehicle charging technology.
For most installers, EV charge point installation has never amounted to a vast percentage of the order book. While early adopters needed a solution to recharge their daily run-around, charge points sat in the same domain as other ancillary options (such as alarm systems, CCTV and security technology) – an area an electrical installer might delve into from time to time, though not the main source of their workload.
However, as more and more households ditch their dirty diesel for an energy-efficient alternative, charge points are quickly becoming a must-have essential for every property. After all, the national roll-out of fast-charge forecourts is far slower than the adoption of EVs.
So, with 32 million drivers quickly switching from combustion engines to EV, charge points are becoming a staple. Strict regulation guiding the fitting of charging equipment and the necessity to commission the installation mean that DIY simply isn’t an option – the open goal opportunity is here to stay.
Three key points are therefore important to consider. Firstly, is your business correctly positioned to take advantage of the opportunity? Secondly, do you and your team have the necessary training? Thirdly, are you properly acquainted with the marketplace and do you understand the EV charge point options available?
So, with the EV industry quickly moving past the early adoption stage, mass market consumers are waiting in the wings. With more than 30 million drivers set to make the EV switch, the opportunity is significant and will quickly become a key percentage of daily workload. Electrification is coming – are you ready?
