Error parsing XSLT file: \xslt\FacebookOpenGraph.xslt Large charging network key for EV RVs, says Glass's
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Large charging network key for EV RVs, says Glass's

Date: 27 June 2016   |   Author: Daniel Puddicombe

A larger eloectric vehicle charging network is needed if EV residual values are to become competitive with petrol and diesel alternatives, vehicle forecasters Glass's has claimed.

According to Rupert Pontin, director of valuations at the firm, the issue for most used buyers is range anxiety.

"Effectively, we need chargers to become as much an everyday sight as a petrol station. They have to become an accepted part of everyday life and for people to see them in use regularly," Pontin said. "When that starts to happen, we believe EV residual values will start to match and possibly exceed conventional vehicles. Until then, unless there is an unlikely step change in battery technology, range anxiety will be an issue."

Fleets generally need on-site charging facilities if they're to operate plug-in vehicles successfully. Most drivers charge at home and at their business premises because they know they can and because they'll typically have a full battery each time they make a routine trip.

"It's chicken and egg, I suppose," Wayne Millward, fleet consultant at leasing giant Arval told BusinessCar earlier this month.  "We get customers saying 'we want [plug-in] vehicles on the fleet'. 'Okay [we say], brilliant, can the drivers charge when they come to work?' Then they respond with 'no, we're not looking at that'. If you're going to do one, you've really got to do the other. But which comes first? Do you look at demand and get the vehicles or do you have an infrastructure in the hope that people take that route?"

"A lot of people who have bought [plug-in vehicles] have installed charging points themselves," adds John Hargreaves, general manager of fleet and remarketing at Kia. "We've got a couple here [at Kia HQ].

"They're not the really rapid ones that enable you to get up to 80% in 30 minutes, but they'll fully recharge the vehicle in about four hours and a lot of people have those at their offices - either that or they charge at home," Hargreaves added.

To find out more about public and private charging options, click here.



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