As more and more electric vehicles are released onto the UK market place, customers are demanding that charging points for this mode of transport are made more readily available. But they need fret no longer, as the world’s first national motorway charging network has been unveiled in the UK.Ecotricity, a green energy firm, are to install power points at 12 Welcome break service stations that will provide electricity completely free of charge, with the promise of a further 17 power points to become available before the year is out.
In the past, electric cars were confined to city journeys, as a limited battery life made it difficult to complete long distance trips. This now looks to have been addressed.
A catch 22 situation had developed, with a lack of charging points putting customers ill at ease, and reluctant to invest in an electric car, but a lack of sales making it difficult to justify significant investments in charging points.
The charging time of an electric vehicle was also a stepping stone to navigate, with a full battery charge taking up to 12 hours in some instances.
When the operation is fully unveiled, there will be two charging options for electric car users: the standard three pin 13A option, and a seven pin 32A alternative. A full recharge using the 13A option will usually mean a twelve hour wait and an overnight stay. However the 32A alternative promises a battery top up in 20 minutes, and a full charge in around an hour.
Manufacturers are keen to point out that at this point, not all models of vehicle are fitted with the 32A alternative.