As the electric vehicle (EV) industry continues to expand, new regulations are coming into force to ensure that public charge point operators (CPOs) offer a smoother, more reliable experience for EV drivers.  

By November 2024, CPOs must comply with updated requirements on payments, network roaming, reliability, customer support, data transparency, and pricing. Here at Evolt Charging, we’ve been working on supporting our customers, and here’s a breakdown of what public CPOs need to know. 

By November 2024, all new public charge points of 8kW and above, and existing charge points of 50kW and above, must offer contactless payment options as standard. This aims to make charging more accessible and simplifies the user experience.  

For CPOs with currently private and proprietary networks, there is some flexibility. If a network decides to make its charge points, or individual sites, public after the 24th November, the operator will have one year from making their charge points public to enable contactless payments.  

CPOs will be required to offer roaming—allowing EV drivers to charge across different networks. By enabling payments through at least one roaming provider, public CPOs will make it easier for drivers to access their network without switching between multiple platforms or apps. 

For CPOs, this means integrating their systems with roaming providers, ensuring interoperability across charging networks. As the industry continues to expand, the ability to provide a frictionless roaming experience will be a significant competitive advantage for operators, and help drive utilisation for chargepoint owners. 

Public CPOs must ensure their rapid charge points are 99% reliable—available and functional almost all the time. This will be monitored as an average across the operator’s network, and CPOs must publish their reliability statistics on their websites and report them annually starting in 2026, for the 2025 period. And, Reducing the chances of drivers encountering non-functional stations. 

This will not only ensure transparency but also allow consumers to make informed decisions based on the reliability of different networks. 

By the November deadline, public CPOs must provide a free, 24/7 telephone helpline at all rapid charging stations. The helpline should be clearly advertised to ensure that drivers can quickly access support whenever needed. 

Offering round-the-clock customer service isn’t just a regulatory obligation; it’s an opportunity to build trust with users and provide a higher level of service that enhances the overall charging experience. 

Public CPOs will also be required to provide accurate, accessible data about their charge points using the Open Charge Point Interface (OCPI). This data must be available in a machine-readable format and shared with relevant stakeholders such as government bodies and energy operators. 

OCPI provision enhances the EV charging experience by facilitating roaming, smooth data exchange, streamlined billing, and smart charging management features. Win, win for the CPO and the driver. 

Finally, CPOs must display the maximum price per kilowatt-hour (kWh) for charging sessions clearly at all public stations. Pricing transparency ensures drivers know the cost upfront before starting a session. 

For CPOs, this means upgrading software and systems to make real-time pricing visible and easy to understand, thereby avoiding confusion or mistrust from consumers. 

These new policies are designed to make charging easier and more reliable for EV drivers, but they also set a clear roadmap for us at Evolt Charging and CPOs. To continually improve their services.

By focusing on convenience, transparency, and reliability partnered with excellence in all-in-one commercial EV charging providers, we can become key players in the ongoing shift toward a greener and more sustainable transportation future. 

As November 2024 approaches, CPOs who embrace these changes will be better positioned to lead the EV revolution and build customer loyalty in an increasingly competitive market. 

Further details: Visit the Public Charge Point Regulations 2023 scope guidance on GOV.UK for comprehensive information here