The UK Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment Association (UK EVSE) and the Renewable Energy Association (REA) have announced they will join forces to provide a ‘clearer voice’ for EV charging.

As members of the UK EVSE are set to join the REA in the coming weeks, the merger is set to bring about a ‘communications boost’ for the UK EV charging sector.

The members will join the REA’s EV Forum, comprising of 75 companies involved in installing, operating, manufacturing, financing, and providing services to the charging industry in the UK.

Transport minister Rachel Maclean said: “People in the UK should have the best opportunities to make the switch to cleaner cars, that’s why we are working closely with industry to bring world-leading expertise into creating, running and charging these vehicles.

“This merger signals an important joining of forces for the sector, and I hope to see them power forward more innovations for drivers everywhere.”

Robert Evans, chief executive officer and chair at UK EVSE, said: “I’m proud of the work we have done at UK EVSE, championing the interests of the charge point sector working with the support of members past and present, we have come an enormous way as a sector.

"The association has been provided a voice for charge point providers and network operators during a period of rapid evolution in policy and the market. Now, with the Road to Zero Strategy and final report of the EV Energy Taskforce, a clear roadmap exists for what comes next.

“With the number of participants in the market burgeoning, now is the right moment for us to come together to ensure a well-resourced industry group. I look forward to continued involvement in key industry debates as part of the REA.”

The REA believes the outcome of the merger will be a robust and coherent representation of the sector to Government, the media and other key stakeholders. It says that the addition of Cenex to the REA EV Steering Group will provide the REA deepened technical expertise in charge point technology, installation and operations, enabling it to better respond to key industry debates relating to standards, data and the electricity grid.

Dr Nina Skorupska, chief executive at the REA, said: “We are stronger when we work together. The integration of UK EVSE with the REA’s EV Forum means centralising resources, concentrating collective expertise, and ensuring coherent communications to Government.

"We hope that this move will both deepen the REA’s expertise in electric vehicle infrastructure but also empower our new members with knowledge and skill in our other work areas, such as that in solar and energy storage, all of which are converging at a rapid rate.

“We welcome our new members and will continue to work to provide a progressive and effective voice for the charging infrastructure and wider renewable energy sector.”

Many members will additionally gain access to other REA member groups, such as the Solar Forum and Energy Storage Forum.

Tanya Sinclair, director of policy UK and Ireland at ChargePoint and chair of the REA EV Forum, said: “This announcement sends a clear message to those involved in manufacturing, installing, operating, and providing services to the charging infrastructure sector that the REA is the go-to association for the industry.

"This tie-up will result in a more joined-up voice to Government and represents progress for our rapidly maturing sector.”

The UK EVSE aims to provide a collective voice for industry participants within the UK EVSE community.

The REA is a trade association for renewable energy and clean technologies with around 550 members operating across heat, transport and power.

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