You can make money by renting out your electric vehicle charger – even if you don't drive!
From 15th June 2022 all new homes and buildings such as supermarkets or workplaces built in England, will be required to have electric vehicle (EV) charging points installed. Properties undergoing major renovation will also be included. This initiative is the result of changes to the Government's Building Regulations which introduce a range of measures such as solar panel installation and improved insulation to ensure that new homes and buildings produce significantly less CO2.
Having an electric car charger in their new build home will be good news for owners for two reasons. Firstly they can run an electric car with ease. Secondly they will have the option to generate income from their charger by renting it out to neighbours – even if they stick with their petrol or diesel car, or don't drive at all!
Filling the 'EV charger gap' by sharing home EV chargers.
Joel Teague, CEO of Co Charger says, 'This is an excellent move for the residents of new-build properties but it's important to bear in mind there are still 14 million people in the UK who live in flats and terraces and don't have access to a charger of their own. The sale of new petrol and diesel cars in the UK will be banned from 2030. But for that to work effectively we've got to get the charging infrastructure sorted. The last thing we want is for motorists to continue to drive older diesel and petrol cars because they don't have anywhere to charge an electric one.'
How renting out home electric vehicle chargers can help save the planet – and generate cash
Electric vehicle charger owners can become ‘Hosts’ by renting out their chargers to a few neighbours. 'Chargees' are motorists who need bookable, reliable and affordable charging close to home. Co Charger, the only purpose-built EV charger sharing platform connects them via their app which handles the 'matchmaking', bookings and payments.
As we are all aware electricity prices are rising significantly. But by setting an appropriate price for the charger rental above the cost of the electricity the Host can make additional income. Prospective Hosts generally decide what to charge by assessing their own energy costs and also checking out what other local Hosts are asking. The Host is always in control and can arrange to accept bookings only at times that are convenient for them, such as when they can park elsewhere or are at work. And there's no need for concern about having strangers on their driveway 'Chargees' will be neighbours who will mostly have regular bookings.
Home electric vehicle chargers helping to plug the 'EV charger gap'
The UK currently has around 30,300 public charging points. However The Competitions and Markets Authority (CMA) has stated that at least 250,000 will be needed by 2030 to enable all motorists to run EVs and charge when away from home.
Joel Teague of Co Charger is on the electric vehicles forum of the Renewable Energy Association and an expert on the UK EV market. 'I haven't seen a plan yet that suggests that public charging can meet the need, either in numbers or functionality,' says Joel. 'Public charger installation requires extensive planning and costs – not to mention ongoing maintenance. But sharing existing home charging infrastructure can turn that around. There's an urgent need for existing vehicle charger owners to offer their chargers for rent to neighbours. By doing so they can know that they are helping provide a cleaner, greener environment – and earn additional income in the process. It's a win-win situation. We need to encourage a 'sharing first' culture when it comes to EV infrastructure.'
'It's hoped that the new rules about EV chargers in new build homes will lead to the installation of an additional 145,000 charge points every year,' says Joel Teague. 'If just 10% of these were rented out to neighbours that would mean an additional 14,500charge points annually – without any additional holes being dug in the road or public money spent.'