Changes to smart charging regulations

As of 30th June 2022, the ‘Electric Vehicle Smart Charge Point Regulations 2021’ came into force, ensuring that all charge points have smart functionality. But what does this mean?

What are the new smart charger regulations?

The new smart charger regulations encourage electric vehicle charging when there is less demand on the grid or when more renewable electricity is available.

To put it simply, the update in June was all about reducing the impact EV charging can have on the grid.

There are two sections to the new regulations:

Schedule 1 - 30th December 2022: The security requirements of the chargers, to prevent data loss, tampering, or hacking. The focus is security, including cyber security and physical access to the chargers.

Schedule 2 - 30th June 2022: This relates to charger smart functionality.

Any charger that is sold after 30th June 2022 must meet schedule 1. Any charger that is sold after 30th December 2022 must meet schedules 1 and 2.

These new regulations cover privately owned EV charge points that are sold for use in a domestic or workplace environment. The regulations do not apply to charge points that were sold before 30th June 2022 or rapid and public charge points.

What must the smart chargers include?

Let’s break it down. The regulations state that charge points must meet certain device-level requirements. These include:

1. Smart functionality

   1. The ability to send and receive data

   2. The ability to respond to signals to increase the rate or time at which electricity flows through the charge point

   3. DSR services (Demand side response) – an energy service that manufacturers can use to help keep the grid balanced

   4. A user interface (display screens)

2. The charge point must retain smart functionality, even if the owner switches electricity supplier

3. Continued charging, even when the charge point ceases to be connected to a communications network

4. Safety provisions which prevent unauthorised people from carrying out work that could risk the health or safety of the person

5. A measuring system to calculate the electricity that has been used, plus the duration of a ‘charging session’, with this information visible to the owner

6. Security requirements consistent with the existing cyber security standard

What is off-peak charging?

We keep talking about off-peaking charging. So, what is it, exactly?

Peak times are 08:00-11:00 and 16:00-22:00 on weekdays, so charging outside of these times (off-peak) means less strain on the grid – and your wallet! When the grid is in less demand, energy is much cheaper to use. The new regulations for smart chargers have this in mind, making off-peak charging the default schedule, to make it the cheapest option.

There can be a randomised delay of 1800 seconds (30 minutes) from the default charging time. The regulations allow you to manually skip this delay in charging if needed through the app or the charger’s screen itself.

The second phase

The second phase (or schedule 1) of the new charging regulations comes into effect from 30th December 2022 and provides enhanced cybersecurity to prevent data loss, tampering, and hacking.

All chargers from 30th December 2022 are required to meet privacy and safety standards, as well as the smart charging standards from the first phase in June 2022.

Manufacturers must build their chargers to guarantee a user’s safety. This comes down to:

• Passwords

• Software and updates

• Secure communication

• Data inputs

• Security logs

• Protection against attacks

Privacy

This update revolves around safeguarding the user’s privacy, making sure that all data sent to and from the charger is encrypted to protect the charger and its owner from potential cyberattacks.

With these new regulations, users will also be able to easily control what data they share and be able to delete any personal data that has been collected. By default, this information will only be retained for 12 months.

Security

The charger must be manufactured and configured to protect against the risk of harm to, or disruption of, the electricity system and the relevant charge point.

Chargers must:

• Protect against external tampering

• Have protection against deliberate damage

• Be configured to ensure that the connection to the electrical grid cannot be disrupted

• Be able to identify the user if the charger casing has had attempted tampering

• Implement a logging safety mechanism for the above events

But what does this mean for you?

First things first, you don’t need to do a thing. As an EV charger owner, not much will change with the installation itself or the normal operation of your charger. However, there are a couple of requirements that will be good to know about.

• Chargers will automatically come with scheduled off-peak charging as default. But you can set your own schedule if you prefer.

• The charger may delay charging from the set start time during peak periods.

• A certificate of conformity will now be issued to customers on all new installations as a record of the work.

• Your smart charger automatically updates. So, if your charger is displaying a flashing blue LED, do not disconnect or power down the charger as it is currently updating. The LED indicator will return to a normal state once complete.

These new smart charging regulations are nothing but beneficial to EV drivers and home charging. From installing new chargers to replacing ones installed before the 30th of June and then the 30th of December, all must meet these new requirements. If not, installers will be liable for a fine of up to £10,000.

Now, with these changes to regulations, smart EV chargers are achievable for all! With default off-peak charging and complete control through an app, chargers are now sure to put the driver first.

It’s only more hassle-free to get your home EV charger with Egg.