EV campaign group FairCharge has partnered with the RAC to create the UK’s first charter for electric vehicle public charging.

The new charter is aimed at making EV charging a better experience and accelerating EV adoption

The charter targets the implementation of world-class standards across the UK EV charging sector – and both FairCharge and the RAC are calling for it to become a minimum set of standards for government, local authorities, landowners and charge point operators.

Recommendations include a 99% rapid charger reliability guarantee – aligning with the Government’s own draft Public Charge Point Regulations – along with clear information for consumers on working and non-working chargers along with a 48-hour repair target. Signs on major roads and motorways should show locations of the fastest chargers and charge point operators (CPOs) should ensure the price per kWh is always clearly displayed.

The charter also calls for chargers to be in safe, well-lit areas, and be accessible to all drivers, regardless of physical abilities. Parking operators and local councils should ensure their EV parking terms and conditions are clear and unambiguous – and not allow parking while charging to become a revenue stream.

They also urge for payment to be “faff-free”, using contactless bank and debit cards without needing to download apps, with digital receipts showing any VAT element easily available.

FairCharge and the RAC also continue to campaign for a reduction in VAT on public charging from 20% to 5%, reducing the cost to consumers without driveways who rely on public devices – but with a relatively low cost to the Treasury, according to both organisations.

The campaign is backed by trade body Recharge UK and EV disability champion ChargeSafe – and FairCharge has also written to new Energy Security and Net Zero Secretary Claire Coutinho, urging her to support the campaign.

FairCharge founder Quentin Willson said: “We’ve produced this charter after talking to hundreds of EV drivers and it represents their wish list for building a world-class public charging network. Government, operators, councils, and local authorities should reflect on what these pioneering drivers of EVs have told us. Only by carefully listening to those who have already driven electric cars for years will this country get the charging infrastructure and EV policies to be fit for the future.”

RAC spokesman Rod Dennis added: “As the market for electric cars really starts to open up in the UK, it’s vital we have enough public chargers in enough locations to make charging as straightforward as possible.

“But quality is as important as quantity: drivers will quickly become frustrated if they discover chargers that aren’t working, or they can’t clearly see how much they’re going to pay before they plug in. And for those with specific accessibility needs, having chargers that meet the new British Standard is absolutely vital.

“This charter – a first for the UK – addresses all these issues and more which is why we’re calling on the whole sector to get behind it and help deliver an electric car charging experience that puts drivers first.”

The charter follows recent calls by Recharge UK – the EV arm of the Association for Renewable Energy and Clean Technology (REA) – along with ChargeSafe and FairCharge for all public EV charging sites to have accessible charging mandated, following the launch of the voluntary BSI standard last year.

The charter is available on both the RAC and FairCharge websites.