RAC and FairCharge collaborate to campaign for EV charging standards

The RAC has partnered with FairCharge to launch an EV charging charter. The two bodies want to see a more standardised approach to charging an electric vehicle.

The charter makes a bunch of demands which aren't unreasonable. They’re aiming to creating a minimum expectation of government, local authorities, landowners and charge point operators (CPOs).

They include things like ‘faff-free contactless payment’ and 99 per cent charger reliability guarantee, which last time we checked was already introduced under new rules from the Department for Transport.

The RAC and Faircharge also think there ought to be a 48-hour repair turnaround, signs on major roads to direct drivers to locations and chargepoint prices clearly displayed.

There’s also a request for some common sense measures, too. For example, the charter sets out the expectation that charge points should be in safe, well-lit and accessible locations, ‘regardless of physical ability’.

FairCharge founder Quentin Willson said: “I’ve this week written to the new energy secretary urging her to support this campaign and help boost the UK’s energy independence and security. We’ve produced this charter after talking to hundreds of EV drivers and it represents their wish list for building a world-class public charging network.

"Government, operators, councils, and local authorities should reflect on what these pioneering drivers of EVs have told us. Only by carefully listening to those who have already driven electric cars for years will this country get the charging infrastructure and EV policies to be fit for the future.”

Reckon companies will sign up voluntarily?