The Labour Party has honoured a key manifesto pledge by reinstating the United Kingdom’s target to ban the sale of new petrol and diesel cars by 2030, reversing the decision of former Conservative Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, who extended the deadline to 2035. This will have a knock-on effect on EV charging infrastructure in the automotive industry.
This change significantly tightens the timeline for the Electric Vehicle (EV) industry, intensifying pressure on the key players in this ecosystem. In this article, we’ll explore the impact of this decision on the EV industry and how organisations can leverage IoT technology to adapt effectively.
Driving Toward Net Zero: The 2022 UK Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Strategy
The initial ban on petrol and diesel cars stems from the ‘UK Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Strategy’ published in 2022, which supports the UK’s commitment to reaching net-zero emissions by 2050. The strategy positions the UK to be the fastest among G7 nations in decarbonising road transport, its largest-emitting sector.
The strategy lays out several visions for the future:
The initial ban’s reinstatement compels car manufacturers to align with the Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) mandate. In 2023, manufacturers must ensure that 22% of their sales are pure electric vehicles, with this figure rising yearly to 80% by 2030. Non-compliance could result in hefty fines – £15,000 per non-ZEV car and £18,000 per non-ZEV van.
The transition to EV: An overview of the challenges impacting utilities, manufacturing and infrastructure
The shift to electric vehicles presents significant challenges for utilities, manufacturers, and infrastructure developers. EVs will create substantial additional demand on electricity networks, requiring rapid integration of charging infrastructure into the UK’s power grid to ensure a stable energy supply.
Developing a cost-effective and expansive EV charging infrastructure network, particularly public and private stations, is critical for supporting the UK’s climate goals. Current estimates indicate that 300,000 public charging points will be needed by 2030, along with 6,000 high-powered stations on major roads by 2035.
EV Charging Infrastructure and IoT: The Path to Smarter Solutions
Soracom’s partner, EV charging software provider Ampeco highlighted that IoT is integral in supporting the growth of the EV, enabling remote monitoring and issue resolution. For example, if a component of an EV charging station malfunctions, IoT technology could help operators to remotely diagnose and address the problem – via open protocols and robust connectivity – without dispatching staff onsite.
EV charge point manufacturers, software providers, operators, and facility owners across the country face unique challenges that can be mitigated through IoT-driven solutions:
Charge Point Manufacturers: Ensuring Compliance and Cybersecurity
Manufacturers of EV chargers must comply with the Electric Vehicles (Smart Charge Points) Regulation, which mandates smart features such as secure remote communication and data transmission. These capabilities are crucial for modernising the UK’s grid.
However, regulatory compliance is just one aspect. Manufacturers must also prioritise cybersecurity to protect the expanding network of connected chargers. Without proper security solutions, these IoT devices could be vulnerable to cyberattacks. By ensuring regulatory compliance and robust security, manufacturers can maintain system integrity and user trust.
For more information on security considerations, read our article, Five ways to secure EV charging infrastructure.
Charge Point Operators: Maximising Uptime and Grid Efficiency
For charge point operators, maintaining a reliable, operational network is a top priority. IoT technology offers several advantages, including:
- Smart Charging Scheduling: Helps balance energy consumption across different locations, reducing strain on the grid during peak demand.
- Remote Monitoring: Enables operators to conduct remote diagnostics and software updates, minimising costly on-site maintenance.
- Demand-Side Response: IoT-enabled demand management allows operators to optimise energy use, aligning it with grid availability and renewable energy sources.
Additionally, IoT data analytics can help operators to identify areas with high demand for charging stations, improving both efficiency and customer service. Read more about how IoT-connected charging stations are driving EV adoption.
Charge Point Software Providers: Developing Scalable and Compliant Platforms
Software providers play a key role in the smooth operation of the EV charging network. Their platforms must support real-time monitoring, energy management, and compliance with cybersecurity regulations. As the network grows, providers will need scalable, intuitive systems that can handle increasing complexity.
Key features should include:
- Real-Time Data: Actionable insights into charging patterns and energy usage.
- Payment Processing: Facilitating smooth and secure payment solutions for EV users.
- User Experience: Offering seamless, user-friendly interfaces that enhance the charging experience.
With innovations in smart grid integration and predictive maintenance, software providers can help optimise network performance and enhance service reliability.
For example, Soracom customer Your Stand, a proprietary IoT system that helps set up EV charging infrastructure for apartment complexes, employed a mix of Soracom services to provide IoT-enabled charging station installations and the Your Stand App – a system that allows users to reserve and operate a charging station from their smartphone, and track their usage for billing purposes.
Facility Owners: Turning EV Charging into a Business Opportunity
For facility owners – such as supermarket chains, parking garages, and hotels – installing EV chargers presents a compelling business opportunity. By partnering with charge point operators or manufacturers, they can achieve several key benefits:
- Optimise Energy Use: Smart charging capabilities allow for better management of energy consumption.
- Attract Customers: Offering reliable, easy-to-use charging services can increase foot traffic as EV drivers seek convenient charging options.
- Maximise Real Estate: Identifying high-traffic locations for charging stations allows facility owners to generate more revenue.
Providing IoT-enabled EV charge points not only supports the UK’s climate goals but also enhances business value. For example, Soracom provided OpConnect with Soracom SIMs for its Plug-N-Play, OCPP-enabled charging stations. This collaboration resulted in a 60-70% reduction in monthly data costs without compromising performance, ensuring service delivery remains highly efficient and cost-effective.
Leverage Soracom for Secure, Scalable IoT Connectivity in EV Charging Networks
The reinstatement of the 2030 ban accelerates the UK’s transition to cleaner transport, creating both challenges and opportunities for the EV charging industry. By combining innovative technology, strategic partnerships, the UK can build a robust EV ecosystem and lead the global transition to electric vehicles.
Soracom is helping to meet these demands by providing:
- Secure and Reliable Connectivity: Soracom ensures the security of your IoT devices by providing trusted communication between devices and the network. With features like IMEI locks, it prevents SIM tampering and bandwidth theft, offering peace of mind and cost predictability.
- Data Encryption Over Cellular Networks: Leveraging cellular encryption protocols, Soracom provides a robust and trusted solution for IoT connectivity. With encryption across 3G, 4G, 5G, and CAT M1 networks, sensitive data can travel securely, minimising risks from unauthorised access.
- Advanced APN Solutions for Data Security: Soracom enhances data security by applying encrypted protocols to all data before it leaves the core network. With Soracom’s advanced APN solutions, including Beam and Funnel, users gain protection against packet redirection and false data injection attempts.
- VPN-Based Secure Data Tunneling: Soracom offers a secure way to deliver data from your IoT devices to your servers via encrypted VPN tunneling, preventing exposure to the public internet. This feature is especially valuable when using cloud providers like AWS, ensuring zero internet exposure and secure routing.
- Backend Integration: By integrating seamlessly with your existing backend systems, Soracom provides a streamlined and secure flow of data, supporting your infrastructure with advanced connectivity and protection features.
Let’s chat about how to connect your EV charging network to the cloud with cellular. Our team can help you figure out the best way to make your rollout smooth, secure, and scalable. Book a time with us and get the insights you need to move forward.
“Monthly data cost fell by 60-70% with no reduction in performance.”
Dan Lulich, CTO at OpConnect