The UK Government may be going all out for an electric revolution on Britain’s road network, but the latest electric models being released for the market in 2018 will not be meeting the manufacturers rapid charge times.
British buyers of the latest Electric SUV, the Jaguar i-Pace will have to wait twice as long than their European neighbours as the current UK infrastructure does not have the power to achieve the car’s 45min 80% rapid charge time.
Whilst some European countries are charging cars with 350kW of energy, UK owners are stuck using a 50kW plug which is the most common charger currently found in this country.
Higher powered charging powers of 150kW are expected towards the end of 2018, but that still leaves UK Electric customers flagging in the distance compared to those on the continent.
Chargemaster is one of the UK’s charging point providers aiming to address the balance, but the company’s communications manager, Tom Callow told Autocar this week that the Government may need to reprioritise its spending commitments to make the electric dream a reality.
“The energy sector is really waiting for more government involvement,” Callow said.
“If it will cost a council £100,000 to install some charge points, that means they still need to fund £25,000,” he said. “Charge points are unlikely to be as high of a priority as other issues, such as social care, so councils are less likely to do this.”
In the meantime, those interested in purchasing the I-Pace when it arrives in July, will have to make do with a 90 minute wait to replenish the car’s 90kWh batteries to 80% using a 50kW plug.
What type of car do you prefer driving? Whether it's petrol, diesel or hybrid. CarSupermarket.com has almost 3,000 makes and models for you to order at your fingertips and delivered to your door.