Two million UK drivers risk “being left stranded” in rural areas and the countryside due to a little-known issue.
Marc Dal Cin, Founder of EV Charger Installation, has revealed many electric car charging plugs require some access to a “mobile connection” to be activated.
It means motorists trying to top-up in place with “unreliable” signal, such as in the countryside, could be caught out.
It means many road users could struggle to activate charging plugs, leaving them unable to top-up their machines.
This in turn could lead to drivers being unable to travel, marking a major new worry for the digital electric age.
Marc said: “Unlike petrol stations, which are fully accessible at any time, many EV chargers require a mobile connection to activate or process payments.
“For drivers in rural areas or even parts of cities where signal is unreliable, this can mean the difference between a successful charge and being left stranded.”
Experts at Smart Home Charge have previously explained why a strong Wi-Fi or 4G signal was critical for those hoping to top-up their vehicles.
Internet connections are usually needed for smart electric vehicle chargers which offer a “variety of benefits” to road users.
The connection is important for things like billing, maintenance, energy use and over-the-air updates.
Setting a charge schedule is also seamless if a charging station is connected to a smartphone application.
Internet-connected EV chargers also help suppliers who can track energy usage a lot easier.
However, Marc has called for potential fixes to be considered, such as increased Wi-Fi coverage at charging stations.
The addition of extra satellite internet in rural locations could also provide a better experience for road users.
He stressed upgrades to infrastructure were needed if the Government was serious about phasing out petrol and diesel cars by the end of the decade.
This is because ensuring motorists have a reliable EV charging experience is critical to encourage individuals to make the switch away from combustion models.
Marc added: “As more people choose electric, we need to ensure charging infrastructure keeps up—not just in terms of availability, but in accessibility too.”
The AA has recently warned that a relatively small number of EV charging stations in the countryside could be a concern.
Many of the UK’s 100,000-plus connectors are located in major city locations with a distinct lack of public access in the countryside.
Jack Cousens, head of roads policy at the AA, explained: “Drivers leaving busy, urban areas will have discovered that the nation’s charging infrastructure needs more investment in rural locations. Away from popular attractions, finding a chargepoint can be more challenging.”
