British Gas and Zaptec have launched a groundbreaking communal EV charging tariff aimed at reducing costs for property developers, landlords, and residents in flats and other shared accommodations. This initiative addresses the significant price gap between public and private EV charging, marking a pivotal shift in the industry.
Currently, communal EV charging incurs higher costs compared to private home charging. This new tariff is the first to tackle the long-standing issue of unequal charging rates. Matt Wood, Director of British Gas Business, stated, “For years, the lack of fair and accessible charging options has been a barrier to EV adoption for those without private off-road parking. This is an important project, championing lower costs for both landlords and residents.”
Participants in the pilot programme can expect a substantial reduction in costs, with British Gas indicating a potential decrease of over 50% in both average day and night rates. While rates vary by property, daytime charging is anticipated to cost around 22p per kWh, with overnight rates approximately 15p per kWh. This offers significant savings compared to the average public network rate of 71p per kWh, as reported by Zapmap.
Landlords will also benefit from reduced shared infrastructure costs, expected to drop from £400 to £40 per month, enhancing the financial viability of on-site EV charging. Michael Braybrook, Managing Director UK at Zaptec, commented, “Until now, residents in flats and shared buildings have been stuck on the sidelines of the EV transition. This partnership finally changes that.”
The twelve-month pilot is designed not only to benefit participants but also to gather data on residents’ use of communal chargers. This information will guide the next phase of the rollout to better meet customer needs. Jade Edwards, Head of Insights at Zapmap, emphasised the importance of this initiative, stating, “Our analysis of annual driving costs shows that the ability to charge at home, rather than relying wholly on public charging, can make a dramatic difference to the cost of driving electric.”
Landlords interested in joining the pilot can find more details on the British Gas Business website. This initiative represents a significant step forward in making EV charging more accessible and affordable across the UK.
