The law as from 30 June 2022 all charge points must have “SMART behaviour”
Smart functionality
5.—(1) A relevant charge point must have smart functionality.
(2) A relevant charge point has smart functionality if—
(a)it is able to send and receive information via a communications network;
(b)it is able to respond to signals or other information received by it by—
(i)increasing or decreasing the rate of electricity flowing through the charge point;
(ii)changing the time at which electricity flows through the charge point;
(c)it is capable of using the functionality referred to in sub-paragraphs (a) and (b) to provide demand side response services, including response DSR services; and
(d)at least one user interface, which enables the charge point to be operated in accordance with these Regulations, is incorporated in the charge point or otherwise made available to the owner.
In English
As Electric cars are becoming more mainstream in the UK, these new rules are designed to limit the strain on National Grid and ensure the best prices for customers when charging. This Law is based around part S of the building regs.
So………
All new electric car charging pointspurchase on or after 30th June 2022 must now be pre-configured with smart behaviour. Essentially, they must be able to measure, record and transmit usage, both in minutes and as units or energy.
The law will affect anyone charging an electric car at home in England, Scotland and Wales at home or work (classed as private use) who is looking to buy new charging points.
New charging points must be able to delay or slow charging during periods of high grid demand, and to avoid charging during peak hours on weekdays.
New legislation based around “device-level security requirements for new charging points” will come into force on 30th December 2022.
I touched on this on another thread and it all really needs to be in one place, so I won’t go into it touch much here.
Device security will be based around exisisting Cyber Security standards. Charge points will require a strong password that is not set by the user. This regulation is likely to be upgraded in 2023.
Why are these Law’s coming in……
Firstly the government has said it will install over 250,000 home and workplace chargers across the UK (take this with a pinch of salt) , and ministers have said they will end the sale of diesel cars and vans by 2030, in a move to increase the take-up of electric vehicles.
In 2019, ministers ran a consultation on smart charging functionality to assess potential issues with grid power supply. And in December 2021 the Electric Vehicles (Smart Charge Points) Regulations 2021(opens in new tab) was signed into law.
the regulations do not apply to non-smart cables or rapid charge points, or for charge points intended for public use.
All this information is freely available on govuk.