Reliability is the key to EV adoption

As an EV driver of almost three years now, I've barely had to rely on the public charging network given I'm one of the fortunate drivers doing almost all of my charging at home whilst I sleep. 
On the few occasions I have needed to charge in public, they have typically been hassle free experiences given my go-to networks (Tesla, Osprey, InstaVolt and Gridserve) seldom let me down. 

I did however have one panic moment last year whilst on a summer break to South Wales. With minimal charge, I arrived at a charger located at a seaside supermarket only to find it was out of use due to “No power available”. Thankfully with a quick google, I was able to find another rapid charger just down the road.

Things have moved on a lot since then. There is more choice of electric vehicles and cost is reducing all the time whilst range is increasing. The public charging network has also grown significantly (47% increase in the total number of charging devices since February 2023) not least, the public charge point regulations which came into play at the back end of 2023 has meant operators are placing even more more focus on reliability to ensure maximum uptime of their network.  

What's more, EV ownership just got a whole lot more convenient (and less stressful) thanks to a new innovation called Powercast which has been developed and launched by UK Power Networks (UKPN) this week. The tech is an open-source software that in a nutshell, provides a real-time power cut information hub for EV drivers.

It integrates with your charging app, letting you know if a station is out of service due to a power cut. No more showing up to a dead charger like I did, wondering if it's broken or if the power's out. With Powercast, you'll get updates on planned outages, estimated restoration times, and even confirmation when the power's back on.

This might seem like a minor detail, but it's a big deal for EV confidence - especially those who rely on the public network and are unable to charge at home. Remember that "range anxiety" – the fear of running out of charge before finding a charger? Powercast helps eliminate that layer of worry almost altogether. 

Whilst I don't have the worry, a recent study found that over 40% of drivers considered public chargers unreliable. Thus, technology and innovation such as this is especially important as it can help change that perception and encourage more people switch to EVs. 

Better still, the open-source nature of Powercast means it's readily available for other charging companies to adopt. This could create a nationwide network of informed EV drivers, making the transition to electric smoother than ever before.

So, if you're an EV driver (or thinking about becoming one), this is a welcome technological addition that will support you in making the switch and enabling a much more reliable and convenient electric driving experience. 

What do you see as key to enabling further uptake of electric vehicles? 

At Hyperion Executive Search, we work with innovative cleantech companies to hire senior, c-suite and board level talent in order to enable the clean energy and mobility transitions. If you are looking for a new career in cleantech or we can help support your hiring needs, please contact me directly via stephen.robinson@hyperionsearch.com