ChargeGuru has lit up London apartment blocks with projections of shocking EV charging statistics for a new campaign.  

The illuminations spotlight the inequitable access to EV chargers for millions of people living in flats

The illuminations, shone on buildings across London, spotlight the inequitable access to EV chargers for millions of people living in flats. The campaign highlights new data, which found that over half (53%) of residents living in flats plan to switch to EVs by 2029, but the availability of at-home EV charging points is woefully insufficient to meet this growing demand. This puts over 3.4 million people at risk of being left behind within the next five years.

Currently, almost 70% of flat residents are or would be, reliant on public charging stations, where costs are on average three times higher than home charging.

The stunt around London visually reflected the current state of at-home charging in the UK, with the aim of educating apartment residents and apartment property managers about the at-home EV charging solutions available and ensuring that no one is left behind in the UK’s transition to electric mobility.

The campaign uses crafty messaging: “Don’t overpay for EV charging when you could charge at home! FFS”. The FFS references the organisation’s Fully Funded Solution for EV drivers living in flats.

For those living in flats, this cost disparity poses a significant barrier to adopting an EV. Residents are increasingly demanding change, urging property managers and landlords to step up and provide the necessary infrastructure to support this transition.

With 74% of tenants now considering EV charging a priority when choosing a place to live, ChargeGuru says investing in EV infrastructure is a smart business decision. However, despite this demand, only 29% of property managers have invested in EV charging infrastructure over the past 12-18 months, and just 32% have plans to do so in the next year.

As the UK government continues to drive its commitment to net zero emissions by 2050, expectations are rising that new building regulations mandating EV charging points for commercial properties will soon extend to residential developments.

Denis Watling, managing director at ChargeGuru UK, said: “The EV transition must be inclusive. Our illumination shines the spotlight on the fact that residents in flats deserve the same opportunities to embrace electric mobility as those in houses. We’re empowering both residents and property managers by not only creating excitement around the potential of this technology but also educating on what’s possible so action can be taken, ensuring no one is left behind in this EV revolution.”