Three reasons why we need community charging as well as increased public charging – because it's bookable, reliable and affordable
Increasing numbers of motorists are keen to transition to electric cars and greener, more economical driving. For those who own a property with a driveway, getting their own electric vehicle charger installed is relatively straightforward.
But what about drivers living in flats, terraces or rental properties where that isn't an option? According to the English Housing Survey 2016, this accounts for around 40% (14.5 million) motorists – who can feel 'locked out' of going electric because they don't have anywhere to charge an EV.
To date, increasing the number of public chargers has been heralded as the way of helping these motorists make the switch. However, although good progress is being made, it's not fast enough. The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) says that the government must install 700 charging points a day if the UK is to reach its target of 2.5 million chargers by 2030 – but the rate is currently 42 chargers a day.
However, during 2021 a new solution has been growing in influence and popularity – Community Charging.
Community Charging Explained
Community Charging enables 'Hosts', who have EV chargers on their driveways to share them with 'Chargees' - motorists who can't charge at home and would welcome the chance to access convenient, affordable charging on a neighbour's driveway. Co Charger is currently the only purpose-built Community Charging platform. The app handles all the 'matchmaking', bookings and payments.
There are currently around 39,000 electric vehicle charge points available in the UK and over 400,000 home chargers. By sharing even a fraction of them via Community Charging, electric vehicle uptake can be transformed.
More home electric vehicle charging points available than Tesla public chargers
Co Charger was launched in November 2020 and has grown 28% month-on-month during 2021. With more than 5,400 users and over 2,100 Hosts, it is now the fifth-largest network in the UK, outnumbering Tesla, which has 1958 chargers (1178 destination chargers and 780 superchargers) according to Zap-Map November 2021. It also has more chargers than other companies, including Instavolt (643), Source London (1605) and ChargePlace Scotland (1908).
Community Charging might be the 'the new kid on the block' when it comes to charging, but it provides a cost-free opportunity to build a comprehensive UK wide network of electric vehicle chargers, and for households without driveways, it can be the next best option to having a charger of their own. It also provides significant benefits, such as being bookable, reliable and in many cases more affordable than the public charging network.
BOOKABLE
Public charging
Unfortunately, most public chargers aren't bookable. This means motorists either have to queue or drive around looking for suitable chargers – and return home after a fruitless journey if none are available. If they are lucky enough to find a vacant charger, it's essential that they pick up their car promptly when it has finished charging to enable other drivers to use the space. Some public chargers have 'overstay' fees, so that's another important reason to watch the clock!
Community Charging
Thankfully charging on a neighbour's driveway is far more relaxing. The Co Charger Host decides when they want to make their charger available for rent, and the Chargee books a slot that suits them. Some Hosts only offer daytime slots and need their Chargee to move their vehicle when they have finished charging. But if they have sufficient space, many Hosts allow the Chargee to leave their vehicle overnight and pick it up the next morning. This gives the closest possible experience to having a charger of their own!
RELIABLE
Public charging
The recent Channel 4 Dispatches programme, 'The Truth about Electric Cars', did research together with Zap-Map, a platform which enables EV drivers to search for public charge points. They sampled one day in September 2021 and discovered that more than 1,300 (5.2%) of public chargers weren't usable. This can be very frustrating, not to mention stressful for drivers reliant on public chargers. They finally spot a vacant one, pull into the space – only to have a 1 in 20 chance of realising it's not working!
Community Charging
Hosts offering their charger for rent will be electric vehicle drivers themselves and hence have a vested interest in keeping their charger up and running. Basically, most Community Charging chargers have a live-in, on-site maintenance engineer!
AFFORDABLE
Public charging
Public chargers vary significantly in cost. Some chargers, such as those at supermarkets or leisure centres, are free for customers, but mostly it's only possible to stay long enough for a top-up charge, rather than a full one. Different electric vehicle charging companies have different pricing structures – some charge a monthly subscription fee, then a charge per kWh, whilst others charge per kWh or per minute.
Community Charging
Co Charger Hosts set the price for renting their charger, with most setting the rate cheaper than local public charge points. Chargees see the price in the app and select a location and price to suit. The process and payment structure are deliberately very simple. At the end of each charging session, the Chargee pays via a card pre-registered in the app, and the Host receives that payment minus Co Charger's 12% fee. There is no other cost or commitment. Through this, Co Charger's ethos is delivered. Hosts help their neighbours go electric whilst making additional income which contributes to the initial investment in their charger and its installation. The outcome being more available electric vehicle chargers and cleaner, greener neighbourhoods.
'At Co Charger, we have always been focused on delivering what a motorist wants before they feel comfortable with going fully electric', says Joel Teague, CEO of Co Charger. 'They need a dependable, convenient, affordable base charging option that fits in with their life. That means having a place to charge near home or work that's bookable will always be working, which doesn't cost the earth and doesn't punish you for leaving the car there beyond when the battery is fully charged. Right now, Co Charger is the only option that delivers this, and we are very proud of that.'
Co Charger has attracted a lot of media interest, including coverage on BBC and Sky News, Radio 4/You and Yours, The Sunday Times, The Guardian and Autocar.
The 'lightbulb moment' that led to the development of Community Charging
When reformed petrol-head turned electric vehicle superfan, Joel Teague was convinced to buy an electric car by a neighbour five years ago he little realised that it would lead to the development of Community Charging.
'I used to drive Jaguars, which I would buy second-hand,' explains Joel. 'But after persuasion by a neighbour, I decided to invest in a new Renault Zoe because it offered a smooth, quiet ride and was an ethical choice. The car arrived, but the charger installation was delayed, and the nearest public charger was seven miles away. I ended up giving that same neighbour a few quid to use their charger until mine arrived. It was such an easy, convenient arrangement and led to a lightbulb moment in which I realised that connecting communities via an app to share chargers could unlock electric vehicle ownership for millions of motorists.'