Are the road signs for EV chargers finally coming?
Here's what we know following yesterday's signage news, tucked into the wider EV announcement from Heidi Alexander, Secretary of State for Transport:
Will there be signage for EV chargers now?
- "Government is modernising EV charging signage on major roads" - this indicates that formal changes to the current, outdated regulations are coming, likely following consultation.
- "Immediate changes will allow larger EV charging hubs to be signposted from major A-roads" - this welcome first step will allow National Highways to grant signage for large, dedicated charging hubs like Osprey's at Buckfastleigh on the Devon Expressway.
- Council Roads - whilst local authority controlled roads were not explicitly mentioned, any formal updates to the "Planning Circular" (which sets out guidance for road signage), and changes from National Highways more broadly, should filter through to the local highways authorities.
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Signage impacts all the UK’s drivers because consumers need to see it to believe it. Osprey have tirelessly highlighted the benefit that clear EV road signage would bring to drivers looking to make the switch and to the charging businesses installing the critical infrastructure underpinning transport decarbonisation.
Ian Johnston, CEO of Osprey Charging
How have the signage rules changed?
Importantly, the announcement signals that the existing requirement for charging to be co-located with petrol/diesel pumps to qualify for SRN (Strategic Road Network) signage will have to be removed.
This is an incredibly welcome first step from OZEV, Department for Transport (DfT), United Kingdom and National Highways, and one we're proud to have been part of - raising the issue with Minister for Future of Roads Lilian Greenwood on-site at her local Osprey hub, in the national press, and behind the scenes with officials, including through the trade association for the EV charging industry ChargeUK.
Osprey looks forward to ensuring the changes achieve suitable road signage on both the SRN and local council roads for the full range of high-quality public charging sites.
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