ECA has responded to the EV infrastructure report by the SMMT, stressing the need for higher standards of training and competence in the electrotechnical workforce.

While ECA broadly supports calls for an electric vehicle charge point (EVCP) watchdog and a five per cent VAT regime for public charging, the body has stressed the point that there can be no EV charge point network in the UK without an upskilled electrical workforce – a point that is missing from the SMMT’s report.

ECA highlighted the ‘wild west’ training and qualifications landscape for professionals wanting to install EVCPs. Many available courses offer little in the way of competency and serve only to perpetuate low industry standards.

ECA Energy Solutions Advisor Luke Osborne said: “We agree wholeheartedly with the SMMT’s statement that electric vehicle charging really should be as easy and uneventful as refuelling.

“But before consumers are put at the centre of charge point policy, regulation needs to catch up to ensure properly qualified electrical professionals are at the heart of the UK’s strategy to become a world leader in electric vehicle infrastructure.

“A robust framework of competencies and qualifications is sorely needed to ensure that anyone carrying out EVCP installation has a solid foundation of electrical competence.”

ECA has also urged government and local authorities to address the ‘postcode lottery’ of publicly available charge points and invest more equitably in the infrastructure rollout.

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