Coronavirus: Pod Point to increase EV charger installations

Pod Point is expanding the total number of Homecharge and Commercial customers for whom it can install, by adopting a case-specific approach to installations.

On March 25, in line with government guidance on Covid-19, Pod Point paused all Homecharge and Commercial installations, except for key workers and those drivers solely reliant on an electric car for their mobility.

The company will now conduct remote risk assessments to identify installs that have a lower risk of Covid-19 transmission. Any installs that fall into the Lower Risk category will be eligible to continue. Installs that fall into the Higher Risk category will be paused until it can reclassify them as Lower Risk.

Installations for Key Workers and drivers solely reliant on a full battery electric vehicle (BEV) will still be given priority wherever possible.

Pod Point's remote risk assessment process aims to limit contact between its team and customers to prevent further spread of the virus, while allowing Pod Point to complete installations where safe to do so.

This process will evolve in line with government guidance and Pod Point's ability to introduce additional safety measures that protect its team and customers.

Pod Point said it is continuing to follow robust safety measures, including social distancing requirements during installation and an effective hygiene and PPE regime for its installers.

“In all cases, scheduling is dependent upon these measures being followed,” it outlined in a statement.

The Government last month announced it was reducing the maximum grant available under the Workplace Charging Scheme from £500 to £350 per socket, up to a maximum of 40 sockets.

Until July 14, Pod Point will top-up the grant with either £100 (for 1-10 charging sockets), £150 (for 11-20 sockets) or £200 (21-40 sockets).

This means if a company orders 40 sockets, they will save £550 per socket, which is a total saving of £22,000.