Will legislation fast-track the transition to decarbonisation?
23 June 2022
myenergi sponsored the BEAMA Net Zero by Design Theatre during InstallerSHOW in June at the NEC. During the event Jordan Brompton – myenergi’s co-founder and CMO – discussed legislation set to come into force in June that will legally require all newbuild homes and office buildings to feature electric vehicle (EV) charging points. Coming as part of wider plans to accelerate the national transition to net-zero, Brompton believes that this move could prove transformational.
Around the world, we are seeing increasing awareness and action against climate change. With targets looming and a growing desire for greater momentum, UK legislators have introduced a series of successive, technologically-progressive policies to help accelerate measurable change.
A precursor to the government’s 2030 ban on the sale of all new petrol and diesel cars, new legislation will soon see every new-build home and office building in England fitted with a mandatory EV charging device. Set to come into force in June, the bill aims to make embracing net-zero solutions increasingly achievable for both householders and businesses alike.
“New legislation will prove a gamechanger, not just in the UK’s transition to electrification, but for the wider goal of decarbonisation,” comments Brompton. “With charging solutions set to become standard in any new-build property, it will make net-zero ambitions more accessible, more achievable and more relatable.”
But while positive, the legislation is without its challenges. Brompton points out that careful implementation and delivery will be critical to its success. With the market for home chargers rising rapidly in recent years, there is a lot more to consider than simply mounting a product and connecting the power.
“The growth of the EV charging market has seen the introduction of many products over the past few years, with substantial variations in technology, design and build quality. Numerous brands have entered the industry with some hugely innovative and compelling solutions, while others have disappointed with poor performance and reliability.
“In the roll-out of this new legislation, there is a clear need for thorough product evaluation. We need to make developers aware of the sheer variety of charging systems, as well as their performance and their capabilities. At the end of the day, we need high-quality chargers that will deliver long-term value.”
Brompton goes on to highlight that prioritising the installation of reliable, proven, future-proof devices would go a long way to smoothing implementation and the lasting success of new legislation.
“As an example, zappi – our hugely popular eco-smart EV charger – has been installed in tens of thousands of properties worldwide,” continues Brompton. “Alongside standard smart charging modes, it was the first device on the market capable of harnessing power from renewable energy micro-generation technologies, such as PV panels and wind generation.
“In result, zappi users have the opportunity to effectively charge for free. What’s more, by using their own self-generated renewable energy, the risk of overloading the grid is further reduced and our customers can boast an impressively low carbon footprint. Factors like this should be integral to the approval process, impartially evaluating features and benefits of every product.”
With rising public interest, legislative pressure and investment from vehicle manufacturers, the UK is seeing a rapid rise in EV ownership. While this new legislation is hugely positive news, harnessing the market’s best solutions is essential. This will ensure that UK homes are provided with future-proofed chargers capable of driving decarbonisation – not short-term solutions that will quickly need to be replaced as their technology and capability becomes obsolete.
Brompton concludes: “Legislation will prove a key driver in decarbonisation, but it’s important to remember that transport is just one element. We’ve been operating at the forefront of the low-carbon energy space since founding the business, developing a wide range of solutions that help users to reduce mains reliance and decarbonise their properties.
“Alongside Zappi, we also manufacture a wide range of other devices – such as eddi, the UK’s #1 solar power diverter, which diverts surplus renewable energy to heating systems; and harvi, an energy monitoring wireless sensor that allows the zappi and eddi to be installed without wiring a direct CT clamp.
“The idea of smart, automated systems that use renewable energy to power and warm your home while recharging your zero-emission vehicle is a real game-changer. However, it’s not a vision for the future, it’s available to us today.”
