Swedish energy group Vattenfall and smart charging solutions provider NewMotion have signed a new roaming agreement that will offer drivers access to more charge points in the UK.

The roaming agreement will enable drivers to access over 400 public charging points via a single app or charge card in the UK

Although there are around 25,000 public charging points in the UK, only a small minority are open to roaming agreements.

Starting in September, the agreement between Vattenfall and NewMotion will bring the firms’ respective customers access to more than 400 public charging points around the UK via a single app or charge card, while both companies are looking at expanding the partnership further.

Anthony Hinde, director of InCharge, Vattenfall’s electric vehicle charging business in the UK, said: “What is the norm in many European countries – seamless, simple, flexible public charging options as a result of roaming agreements between operators – is still a rarity in the UK. Our agreement with NewMotion is therefore an important step forward and will encourage the uptake of EVs in the UK.”

Sytse Zuidema, CEO of NewMotion, added: “Access to good charging infrastructure is a key consideration for drivers before they make the switch to driving an electric vehicle. Roaming agreements between charge point operators help to create a charging network where it’s easy to charge at any provider’s charge point. With this roaming agreement we both take the lead in creating a wider accessible charging network and make it easier for EV drivers to connect to the charging infrastructure in the UK.”