A Plymouth business which specialises in charging equipment for electric cars is to set up an information event in the city to explain financial options for EV owners now the Government has scrapped grants towards installing home charging stations.
Car Charge Go, an online retail supplier specialising in home charging equipment and accessories for electric or hybrid motors, is to work with BMW Ocean Plymouth and an accountancy firm on an event, scheduled for mid-May, where the financial implication and tax benefits of running an electric vehicle (EV) will be explained.
Car Charge Go, which is already working with more than 50 car dealerships around the country and is in partnership with national electrical specialists SDE Group, came up with the idea for an information “roadshow” as the Government ended its £350 home charger grants, which went towards the cost of installing equipment in privately owned homes.
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The Electric Vehicle Homecharge Scheme was withdrawn at midnight on March 31 after eight years. It is being replaced by the EV Chargepoint Grant - but this is only available for people living in flats or rented properties.
Kate Searl, operations director of Car Charge Go, said that the minimum cost of a charger is about £500, and the installation cost can be about £400, so the grant was a worthwhile incentive.
She said Car Charge Go’s information event will show people what other financial incentives there are for switching to EV.
“We will tell them everything about EVs, the tax benefits, other grants, options for finance, different types of charger,” she said. “With the grant scheme ending we thought it was important to do a roadshow to support people.”
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The exact date of the roadshow is being worked out and details will follow soon, but it is expected to be in mid-May, Car Charge Go said.
Car Charge Go was set up to provide a step-by-step guide for people buying electric and hybrid cars from purchase to installation and how to maximise the return on their investment.
The Government has made its ambitions for the future of electrical motoring clear: by 2030 the production of fuel-powered vehicles is to cease, and by 2035 only zero-emission cars will be available for sale.
But for many EV owners, the industry is still seen as somewhat niche, which results in a limited aftersales care package provided by many dealers.
Car Charge Go said it is determined to change this, ensuring anybody considering the transition to electric driving can confidently do so. This year Car Charge Go entered into a partnership with Chesterfield-headquartered national company SDE Group, so together they can cover the domestic and commercial markets. They are working together to encourage companies to install EV charging technology.
SDE has a contract with Gridserve for the installation of rapid chargers in locations such as motorway service stations and large retail stores, and Car Charge Go will provide technical support.
Mrs Searl explained: “SDE has contracts to build chargers in the motorway service stations and in Ikea stores, Car Charge Go will handle all call outs and maintenance. We are looking at 187 service stations and all Ikea stores, an average of three or four chargers in those sites, but by 2026 more than 20 per site.”
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She said SDE will be involved in the creation of EV electrical forecourts around the nation and added: “There are a further 74 electrical hubs being built around the country and SDE has got a proportion of them.”
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She said private investors are also looking closely at the EV sector and providing funding for chargers to be installed in workplaces and car parks in exchange for the asset being then signed over to them but with a “financial kick back” for the business.
“Investors put the money in and know they will recoup in the long term,” she said. “We offer the commercial customer a one-stop-shop and a solution that is not asset financed.”