DFA QUERIES WHETHER HAVING CHARGING POINTS FOR ELECTRIC VEHICLES (EV’S) ON PETROL FORECOURTS IS PRACTICABLE
24 April 2017
There is no need for all petrol forecourts to have electicity charging points for electric vehicles (EV’s) in the near future – according to the Downstream Fuel Association.
The proposal in a Department for Transport consultation to mandate all fuel retailers to provide EV charging points will not work for a number of reasons such as:-
- Most existing petrol forecourts are too small for EV charging points to be installed
- EV vehicles take 30 minutes plus to re-charge so charging points have to be away from fuel pumps where re-fuelling typically takes about 5 minutes
- The existing UK network of 11,000 EV charging points will grow as there are more EV’s registered. DFA members will invest in these points as and when the market demand arises.
- The re-charging of EV’s is a completely different process to re-fuelling with petrol or diesel. Many will be re-charged overnight at home overnight, or in shopping car parks.
Commenting on the plans Teresa Sayers, DFA CEO said:
“The DFA fully supports the Government’s vision to gradually move the UK’s vehicle fleet over to being powered by electricity. This is a major change and it is important to realise that in the medium term most vehicles will continue to be fuelled by petrol or diesel. We must ensure that these can still re-fuel quickly and efficiently as at present. Our members will install EV charging points when and where demand for EV charging justifies it.”
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