As of 30th June 2022, the United Kingdom has enforced the Electric Vehicles (Smart Charge Points) Regulations 2021, mandating that all new private electric vehicle (EV) charge points sold and installed in Great Britain must possess smart functionality. This legislation aims to manage the increasing electricity demand resulting from the transition to electric vehicles and to enhance grid stability. (gov.uk)
Key Requirements of the Regulations:
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Smart Functionality: Charge points must be capable of sending and receiving information via a communications network, allowing for demand-side response services.
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Default Off-Peak Charging: Devices are required to be pre-configured to charge during off-peak hours to alleviate grid demand during peak times. Users retain the ability to adjust these settings as needed.
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Randomised Delay Function: To prevent grid overload from simultaneous charging, charge points must incorporate a randomised delay of up to 10 minutes at the start or end of a charging session.
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Security Requirements: Compliance with specific security standards is mandatory to protect against cyber threats and ensure user safety.
Implications for Legacy Charge Points:
Charge points sold before 30th June 2022 are exempt from these regulations. However, any legacy charge point that was not installed by this date and lacks the mandated smart functionalities cannot be legally installed post-implementation. Installing such non-compliant devices may result in penalties, including fines. (gov.uk)
Requirements for zappi Installations:
For myenergi's zappi product line, the following must be met to comply with smart charging regulations:
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The zappi must be at least a 2H model.
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The unit must have a tamper board installed.
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WiFi connectivity must be enabled to ensure compliance with smart functionality requirements.
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Legacy zappi 2.0 models without WiFi cannot be installed under current regulations.
It is crucial for consumers and installers to ensure that any EV charge point installed after 30th June 2022 complies with the current regulations. Utilising non-compliant legacy devices not only contravenes the law but also poses potential risks to grid stability and user safety.
For a comprehensive understanding of these regulations and their implications, the UK government's official guidance provides detailed information. (gov.uk)
The following video offers a visual explanation of the regulations and their importance: