Thursday 6 September 2012

UK’s first PAYG EV charging point

The UK’s first Pay As You Go (PAYG) electric vehicle charging point was launched earlier this week.

Whilst most electric car chargers require users to have a membership, the PAYG works simply by using a mobile phone.

The ‘POD Point’ network uses a text message to access the charging points and is based on the Oyster PAYG model introduced by Transport for London, with no commitment to a monthly fee.

Erik Fairbairn, CEO of POD Point said: “Most electric or hybrid vehicle owners use public charge points occasionally, in areas they don’t visit every day – yet existing charging schemes are either regional or charge a high monthly fee regardless of use. The PP PAYG network will deliver a nationwide charging network that makes economic sense for electric and hybrid vehicle owners to join – and charge point owners will benefit from increased use of their charging facilities.”

The company expects to have around 750 charging points by the end of the year and more than 4,000 by 2014.