Almost 1,000 electric car chargers have been fast-tracked to connect to the electricity network in London, the South East and East of England with the help of a new AI-equipped portal from an electricity network.

Thousands of electric car chargers in South East fast-tracked with help of AI

Dubbed Smart Connect, the online solution for charge point installers launched in February 2021 from UK Power Networks to remove the need for paperwork and streamline the process for installers.

Since then, it’s been used to instantly approve more than 2,000 new applications for electric car chargers, heat pumps, batteries and solar panels in record time. These include 1,720 new electric car charging applications, of which over half (983) have been instantly approved by the portal,  meaning devices could be connected straight away.

The service works by using artificial Intelligence to process data about each household installation. When an installer applies to connect a new car charger, Smart Connect refers customers to a UK Power Networks expert if the electricity supply needs to be upgraded to gain additional power. If no upgrades are required, the tool provides an automatic assessment and then auto approval.

Installers that have multiple jobs planned can also use Smart Connect to check the status of all their applications at the click of a button.

Ian Cameron, head of customer service and innovation at UK Power Networks, said: “Millions of electric cars and heat pumps will connect to our networks over the next decade. Through tools like Smart Connect we’ll make sure – whether we’re working with installers or directly with consumers – they can all connect at pace.”