Say goodbye to messy payment processes (and stay compliant).
Public EV charging | Regulation changes are here.
Change is upon us! As of 24th November 2024, a wave of changes to the Public Charge Point Regulations 2023 will become applicable. The changes have a host of benefits to the driver, but entail some far reaching technical changes to existing and future products; some of which are easier to implement than others. The intention behind the update was to make public charging easier for UK drivers, thereby increasing confidence in the network and helping the transition to electric.
To achieve this, the regulation focus’ on 2 key areas:
Usability | making pricing more transparent and payment easier
Reliability | ensuring drivers can find the right charger for their needs and that reliability is visible and actionable
Who does this apply to?
The regulation applies to charge points deemed to be “public” and as per the regulations, this
“…includes situations in which a charge point: may only be accessed during restricted hours [or] is situated in a public car park, whether or not that car park is available only to customers of specific goods or services” - Public Charge Point Regulations 2023
Examples include but are not limited to council owned parking sites, train stations, hotels, supermarkets, private members clubs, gyms and retail parks.
But in this brave new world of EV charging, defining who is responsible is also key. The regulations apply to the Charge Point Operators (CPO’s) - essentially the businesses responsible for the on-going maintenance and running of the systems that control the chargers - and so not necessarily the chargepoint owners.
The deadline of 24th November 2024 to comply is upon us, and the technical solutions available are not easily achieved.
What does the change to the Public Charge Point Regulations 2023 mean in practice?
The changes stretch across a number of key aspects of public charging that have become significant pain points to drivers - the aim always being to make the driver experience a more positive “effortless” moment in their day.
The Electric Vehicle Association England (EVA) has done a great job of detailing the major changes and implications and below is a summary of key areas impacted along with deadlines to comply.
Pricing Transparency
What | The maximum price of a charging session must be displayed clearly in pence per kilowatt hour.
Why | Clear, upfront pricing makes charging simple and predictable—no surprises for drivers, just like knowing exactly what you’re paying at the pump.
When | 24/11/23
Contactless Payments
What | New public charge points of 8kW and above and existing charge points of 50kW and above must offer contactless payments to consumers.
Why | Contactless is fast, easy, and familiar—like tapping your card at the coffee shop. For drivers, it means no hassle with apps or memberships, just plug in, tap and go.
When | 24/11/24
99% Reliability
What | Rapid charge points must be 99% reliable, measured as an average across each charge point operator’s rapid network over the calendar year. Information on reliability compliance must be published on the charge point operator’s website. Charge point operators must also submit an annual reliability report to the Secretary of State and the enforcement authority.
Why | Think of reliability like having a GPS that always works. High reliability ensures chargers are there when drivers need them, boosting confidence in the network.
When | 24/11/24
24/7 Helpline
What | Free to use 24/7 staffed telephone helplines must be available and advertised at all charge points.
Why | When a charger isn’t working, drivers need quick support, any time of day. A reliable helpline turns a potential frustration into a fixable problem, keeping journeys smooth.
When | 24/11/24
Open Data
What | All data must be accurate and charge point operators must use the Open Charge Point Interface (OCPI) to hold and open their data. Reference and availability data must be made publicly available and in a machine-readable format.
Why | Accurate, open data means drivers can check charger availability in real-time—like knowing if a parking spot is free before arriving. It’s transparency that builds trust.
When | 24/11/24
Roaming
What | Charge point operators must enable consumers to pay through at least one roaming provider at their charge points.
Why | Roaming means fewer restrictions for drivers who want flexibility, letting them charge across networks with one account—like having an “all-access pass” for charging.
When | 24/11/25
Payments | The case for integration
Arguably, one of the major changes involves the obligation to offer a contactless payment solution on all public charge points above an 8kW power rating.
According to the wonderful ZapMap stats page, as of 30th September 2024 the UK boasted 16,241 public chargers that fit this category (ie. >=8kW & <50kW). Of this number, only about 4,500 have been installed since the regulations update.
What this means in practice is that any publicly available charge point above 8kW will require contactless payments as standard in order to avoid a ÂŁ10,000 per device fine.
Easy right? Well not so fast…as Steve Large CEO and Technical Director of Hangar 19 explains; “EV charging has been on the 'contactless journey' for some years. This journey will pass through various stages but what's become clear is that adding contactless to a charge point is challenging! There's a whole new world of payment management and system integration for charge point manufacturers and operators to get their head round.”
This is where the Voqa One steps into the arena: with contactless payments integrated as standard, commercial destination charging becomes effortless.
“The Voqa One is an exciting product as it's born out of contactless payment expertise - it's payment mechanisms are fully integrated to the charge point, a market first in my opinion. All other chargers I've seen bolt on 3rd party terminals and like anyone who's a regular user of public rapid chargers we all know the pain points when that reader doesn't play nicely with the charger!” - Steve Large, Hangar 19
How Voqa can help your business?
When the team at Voqa set out to develop the Voqa One, we knew payments had to be front and centre—not just to comply with regulations, but to simplify the driver’s experience. Drawing on expertise from our parent companies, Kuba Group and Vix Technologies, we designed a charger that integrates contactless payments as standard. This puts drivers in the “effortless” experience zone, exactly as the new regulations intend.
So why does this matter?
Contactless payments are easy for drivers, avoiding the hassle of multiple user apps. And for businesses, an easier experience means more business as well as the way to future-proof against looming compliance deadlines, with November 2024 just around the corner.
If your business wants to stay compliant and put itself back in the driving seat, get in touch to learn how the Voqa One can make regulation a smooth road ahead.