InstaVolt, along with EV affordability advocate FairCharge, has added to calls for clearer signposting for EV charging to help boost mass adoption.

Signs for petrol and diesel stations are mandatory, but not for EV charging

Newly published research from the AA reveals more than 50% of drivers favour better EV signage to make the public network more prominent.

And now InstaVolt and FairCharge are picking up the call for more action on the lack of electric vehicle charging signage on UK road networks.

The Government is on track to reach its target of 300,000 publicly available chargers by 2030, with almost 75,000 devices already live.

But the AA data shows steps such as a clearer, universal sign should be used to help chargers stand out.

And InstaVolt, which began campaigning for better EV charging signage two years ago along with FairCharge, said action is imperative to clearly signal to those drivers who don’t have an EV that an infrastructure of 74,000 public chargers already exists.

While signs for petrol and diesel stations are mandatory, they’re not for EV charging. And in fact the UK is the only European country without EV road signage policies.

Simon Smith, chief commercial officer at InstaVolt, said reassuring non-EV drivers that many thousands of chargers are already in the ground is critical to EV adoption.

“Ultra-rapid EV charging is being rolled out at record pace, and clear signage is the missing piece to reassure drivers that going electric is not only practical but convenient. This is a simple, low-cost solution that can be implemented quickly without the need for major infrastructure investment.”

InstaVolt says engagement with the Government has gathered pace since it started its own campaign, including working with The Sunday Times on an exclusive to bring the issue to public attention.

Smith added: “We’re already engaging with OZEV and the Highways Agency and discussing how small but effective changes to existing processes can help create clear and visible signs to direct drivers to the thousands of charge points across the country.”

But both InstaVolt and FairCharge say the UK’s red tape and “antiquated rules” are holding up the EV transition signage.

Quentin Willson, FairCharge founder, went on: “We’ve worked with InstaVolt to repeatedly raise the issue of the lack of electric vehicle charging signage across the UK’s road networks and we’re pleased to see the AA, and non-EV drivers, supporting our calls. But we’ve been calling for change for two years now, without significant development. No wonder non-EV drivers believe there’s no charging infrastructure.”

The AA study found more than half of 8,268 prospective EV drivers surveyed said that steps such as a clearer, universal sign should be used to help chargers stand out (56%), alongside totem pole pricing boards used at fuel forecourts (cited by 51%), as well as subtle tactics such as including charge points on built-in sat-navs for petrol and diesel cars (52%).

Jack Cousins, head of policy at the AA, commented: “While it’s great to see charging infrastructure installed across the country, there is a danger that many units are hiding in plain sight… Highlighting the network and giving more confidence to those looking to switch to electric, seems a sensible upgrade to make…

“A visible public charging network is just one aspect that drivers are looking at when considering if the time is right for them to go electric.”