EV charger sharing pilot launches ahead of nationwide rollout

Electric vehicle (EV) drivers will be able to book a slot to charge their plug-in car or van on a new private charging network.

With the aim of making charging more reliable and affordable for EV drivers without private home chargers, Plugable is launching a pilot this month (June) in the northwest of England, following its recent launch in Ireland.  

Plugable allows EV drivers to book “affordable and reliable” charging slots at local hosts' homes, or destination chargers at private business, offering an alternative to public charging infrastructure.

Last month, data from Zapmap showed that the UK had surpassed 60,000 public charge points, but Plugable says that an estimated 700,000 private chargers across the country remain largely untapped.

Maebh Reynolds, founder and CEO of Plugable, explained: “Plugable is on a mission to provide access to the UK's largest EV charging network by 2025, making charging accessible for everyone, everywhere.

“Our peer-to-peer network is coming to the UK to allow hosts to maximise the utilisation of their home chargers, earning passive income and supporting the wider EV community.

“By democratising access to EV charging, we aim to accelerate the transition to electric vehicles.”

Through the Plugable app, users can find nearby EV chargers, book a convenient time slot, and, it claims, enjoy lower rates compared to public chargers.

Hosts set their own prices and availability, enabling them to earn passive income from their home charger when it is not in use. Chargees and hosts signing up to the trial will receive a £25 bonus credit.

To participate in the trial, users in Manchester, Liverpool, Warrington, Wigan and Bolton are invited to download the free Plugable app and follow the instructions to take part.

Pilot participants will then be asked to provide feedback via a survey to influence future improvements for the Plugable community.

Plugable was established to leverage idle home chargers, which are unused 80% of the time, to support the EV community during the net-zero transition.

As Plugable grows, it aims to expand its charging marketplace nationwide, including onboarding businesses, such as gyms and hotels, to offer their destination EV chargers via the site.

Charging is one of the biggest challenges faced by fleets and their drivers in the transition to full electric. In our latest Fleet News special report, we break down the challenges affecting each of the charging types - home, workplace and public - and provide advice and guidance to help you navigate your way through the EV transition journey.