Drivers buying a new home EV charger should make sure it complies with the latest regulations, Ohme has warned consumers ahead of new regulations that will be applied from December 31st.
With more regulations being introduced for all electric vehicle chargers from the end of this year, EV drivers, electrical retailers and installers should ensure that any new charger they are considering meets all the regulations, the smart charging platform provider said.
The latest Schedule 1: Security compliance regulations that are being applied from December 31st are in addition to the EV (smart charge points) regulations that came into force in June 2022. These latest additional requirements cover cybersecurity and tamper-protection.
“Whether you’re an electric vehicle driver looking to buy a new smart charger, an electrical retailer offering them for sale or an installer, from the end of this year all new EV chargers are legally-bound to meet these regulations,” said Ohme CEO David Watson. “For total peace of mind, drivers, retailers and installers should ensure that they’re buying a product that meets the latest regulations and ask to see the Statement of Compliance for the charger to confirm that.”
Any installers wishing to fit non-compliant EV chargers from December 31st will have to seek prior approval from the Office for Product Safety and Standards – something they don’t have to do with Ohme, the company said.
The purpose of the new regulations is to help the National Grid adapt to the new demands of EVs and encourage drivers towards using smarter tariffs to avoid charging during peak hours, the company previously said.
Giving an example of its own chargers, the company said Ohme’s smart chargers enable drivers to take advantage of all the times of low-price charging, not just particular set hours by connecting with the grid in real time automatically. Using the Ohme app, drivers can set the Home Pro to charge their vehicle when prices drop below a set point. Ohme also allows drivers the option to charge their car with renewable energy generation on the grid at its highest, the release said.
Ohme is the official charger provider for the Volkswagen Group in the UK and also for customers on the Motability Scheme, the largest UK fleet operator in the UK.