Email I just sent to the Secretary of State for Transport

[Stuart Wright]

To Grant Shapps [email protected]

Hello Mr. Shapps,

Perhaps you’re already aware of this situation, but it’s critically important to improving the UK’s EV charging infrastructure, so I’ll briefly write about it in the hope that adding my email to the (hopefully many) more that you’ve received on the subject might add weight to the issue.

UK motorway service stations currently only have Tesla and Ecotricity EV chargers on them. This is a huge problem.
Only Tesla owners can use the wonderful Tesla Supercharger stalls.
That leaves Ecotricity servicing the UK’s entire motorway service infrastructure for the vast majority of electric car drivers. While they initially pioneered the installation of rapid chargers, Ecotricity are now neglecting the network rather than maintaining it adequately or expanding it as they should.

CCS is the connector type that is the standard for rapid charging most EVs. It’s become the standard across Europe.
There should be multiple CCS chargers on each motorway service location, not the single one currently offered by Ecotricity. And in some services, there are none.

I have owned an EV since 2017.
A major obstruction to UK EV adoption is the poor charging infrastructure.
An EV owner taking a long distance journey along motorways can not rely on the Ecotricity chargers because they are likely either out of service or (there being only one) in use by someone else.
There need to be many, many more reliable CCS chargers at motorway services. I would say at least 5 immediately in the busiest locations and ultimately many times this number.
For this to happen the monopoly that Ecotricity have on motorway service station charging needs to be withdrawn. Contract or no.
As the Secretary of State for Transport, is it not your responsibility to ensure that this happens?

Kind regards

 

[Les burrows]

To Grant Shapps [email protected]

Well put Stuart, having not use the charging infrastructure as yet this was one of my concerns about going with an EV my son (Tesla owner now) talked me into it as I would probably only need to charge away from home maybe half a dozen times or so per year but I agree this does needs addressing so well done.

 

[Deleted member 823]

Good sentiments, not sure about the combatitive final sentance though. From past experience of writing to these people, you might have more success by writing to your MP as he/she is obliged to represent you, and asking him/her to raise it accordingly. You might have a few minor hoops to jump through to porve you're a consituent though!

 

[Fishettibean]

The consumer experience at public chargepoints

www.gov.uk

Only just found this gov consultation on chargers...

 

[Les burrows]

Hi Stuart les burrows here as you may remember i have said before I’m not good with tech so I don’t know how to attach things to the forum from YouTube so I will just list the titles and you can search for them they may be of help with the public charging thread but you may already have seen this information but I think it’s worth putting on for others to look at the guy also explains how to fill out the forms that Fishettibean as posted
So on YT search Modern Heroes ‘TAKE ACTION NOW!
And another by Young Driver IS THE CHARGING INFRASTRUCTURE GOOD ENOUGH
May help some members
Les

 

[PeteJ]

I was going to write to my MP but have just discovered that he took delivery on an Mercedes S 500 petrol car last week. Not sure what support I would get from him .

 

[Stuart Wright]

Hi Stuart les burrows here as you may remember i have said before I’m not good with tech so I don’t know how to attach things to the forum from YouTube so I will just list the titles and you can search for them they may be of help with the public charging thread but you may already have seen this information but I think it’s worth putting on for others to look at the guy also explains how to fill out the forms that Fishettibean as posted
So on YT search Modern Heroes ‘TAKE ACTION NOW!
And another by Young Driver IS THE CHARGING INFRASTRUCTURE GOOD ENOUGH
May help some members
Les

Les you just copy the YouTube video page address (URL they call it) in the address bar of your browser. Or SHARE and copy link if you're using the YouTube app.
And paste it into the post.

Just like this:

 

[Marcad]

I have completed it, it is easy enough to follow. It is worth doing in my opinion.

 

[Stuart Wright]

 

[Les burrows]

Just want to thank Stuart for his help in explaining how to place a video link from YouTube on to the forums and also for the demonstration video he’s actually placed onto the YouTube channel as well, very helpful, and a big thank you Stuart for taking the time.

 

[mj224]

Following that last video, Genie now do a contactless with their RFID card. I occasionally use them, successfully..

Great video, gives us all a bit of confidence.

My only addition to the thread is pricing of charges.

 

[Ingo Wilson]

To Grant Shapps [email protected]

I wholeheartedly agree with this statement. EV owners on long distance trips cannot rely on motorway service and are forced to hunt out serviceable fast chargers elsewhere. Time consuming and completely haphazard. Break Ecotricity's virtual monopoly now and reward EV owners with fast charging facilities at motorways they deserve.

 

[TassiedEVil]

To Grant Shapps [email protected]

Just after we got the MG, my partner had range anxiety. Now, with very few charging stations down here, he’s getting “charger queue anxiety” and keeps muttering that he hopes no one else buys one...

 

[TassiedEVil]

Out of interest, how much do Shell charge for charging? Does it vary from place to place??

 

[Stuart Wright]

Out of interest, how much do Shell charge for charging? Does it vary from place to place??

Here in the UK:

Rapid charger network list with costs (main networks only) UK & Ireland

This is a list of the main networks providing rapid chargers in the UK and Ireland correct as of 28/02/2021. The list is aimed at people wanting CCS rapid (50kW+) chargers for use by the majority of EV cars. Updated 19 July 2022. Network Cost/kWh Locations Notes Alfa Power Fast £.40...

www.mgevs.com

 

[mj224]

Would it be of value if we all sent and edited version of the letter to our MP's as well?

Only edit is the Dear... and the last line..

 

[Les burrows]

This I Hope maybe helpful Stuart found on YouTube also can I ask Stuart did you get any reply to the mail you sent to a Grant Shapps?

 

[Stuart Wright]

Stuart did you get any reply to the mail you sent to a Grant Shapps?

No. Nothing.
That's a very encouraging video.

 

[Les burrows]

Here what is the latest on Ecotricity motorway charging
View attachment 2218

 

[AdamMGEV]

Here what is the latest on Ecotricity motorway charging
View attachment 2218

That link doesn't work