Smart charging on public network to cut costs for EV drivers

Electric vehicle (EV) drivers will get access to cheaper electricity when using public charge points thanks to a nationwide rollout of smart charging.

Connected Kerb is deploying the feature across its nationwide public network, following a successful trial.   

In what it is describing as a “first-of-its-kind” deployment, Connected Kerb’s smart charging allows drivers to schedule charging during off-peak hours when energy is cheapest, saving money and reducing pressure on the grid.

The rollout, beginning this month, will see the majority of Connected Kerb’s charge points – 6,000 already installed and 4,000 to be deployed this year - to be capable of smart charging by 2025. 

Ben Boutcher-West, chief digital officer at Connected Kerb, said: “Public smart charging is the catalyst we need to create a fairer, greener, and cheaper charging network.

“We know that just under two thirds of people in the UK don't have access to a home charger, which is why we’re committed to levelling the playing field between those who can access smart charging and those who can’t.” 

Connected Kerb’s new public smart charging offering will provide overnight tariffs of £0.45 per kWh for drivers. Thanks to the lower costs, it says that drivers could save up to £222 per year on charging.

“By increasing the speed of charging when energy is cheapest, we can now offer drivers lower-cost tariffs, maximise the use of green energy and take strain off the grid,” continued Boutcher-West.

“Our rollout of public smart charging isn’t just a major milestone for Connected Kerb, but the UK’s EV transition as a whole, bringing our public charging network one stop closer to democratising the gap between those with and without off-street parking.”

The first areas to benefit from Connected Kerb’s smart charging rollout will be the regions of Lincoln, Scarborough, Ryedale, and Sunderland.

Drivers can benefit most from Connected Kerb’s smart charging capabilities by scheduling a charge from 7pm onward, any day of the week through the company’s app.

Once plugged in and scheduled, charging will begin at midnight and carry on until 7am or until the EV battery is fully charged. 

Anthony Browne, minister for technology and decarbonisation, said: “We want people to be able to charge their EV in a way that works for them, so it’s great to see public smart charging providing opportunities for drivers to save money. 

“This has been made possible by Government-funded research, which is now translating into new cheaper charging options for those charging outside their home – a prime example of how industry and Government can work together to support greener travel."

The announcement follows the recent news of Connected Kerb’s partnership with South Tyneside Council, with plans to more than double the number of public charge points in the North East.

Marking the single largest rollout of chargers in the North of England to date, the partnership will see up to 2,100 charge points installed, providing a major boost to the UK’s target of 300,000 charge points by 2030. 

Juliet Davenport, non-executive chair of Connected Kerb, said: “The deployment of smart charging solutions on the public network is a game-changer for how the EV charging ecosystem supports the national grid.

“By allowing drivers – at scale – to charge up when demand for electricity is at its lowest, and energy is at its greenest, Connected Kerb’s network will play bring huge benefits in balancing the grid, and ultimately support a stable and sustainable clean energy future.”