Cenex is to take charge of the UK-wide database of charging points, in a move aimed at providing better live data to drivers and routing companies.

The National Chargepoint Registry complies data on the location and availability of units.

Launched in 2011, the National Chargepoint Registry (http://national-charge-point-registry.uk) uses data from operators on the location, compatibility and availability of units across the UK. The data is used by mapping companies and apps, including the Open Charge Map and Zap Map.

Funded by the Office for Low Emission Vehicles (OLEV), Cenex and softare specialist Apetrel Systems will work together to improve real-time information with a view to enabling better route-planning around available charging infrastructure.
Adrian Vinsome, head of energy systems at Cenex said, “In many ways, the NCR was ‘ahead of its time’ but it needs better mechanisms to upload and download the data in real-time.  This will be our initial focus, and this will ultimately improve the EV motorist’s experience as better tools and apps are built on a solid, reliable and accurate foundation.”

Paul Pepper, technical director, Apetrel Systems added: “We are confident that the next version of the NCR will provide useful data to make planning, logistics, and daily use of plug-in electric vehicles much simpler for drivers.”