As the global EV market expands fast, more and more people are focusing on Smart EV Charging technology. As an advanced market for Electric car driving, the UK released “UK smart charging regulations” as the standard and technology required for the design and application of EV chargers.
The blow, we will explore the effect of the UK smart regulation on EV charger technology、smart charging, and smart charging stations.
As the important terminal device connecting electric cars and the electricity grid, the core of EV chargers proves the high efficiency and safety of electricity power transformation. Now, EV chargers not only have a basic electricity transform function but also adopt an advanced data communication module, achieving dynamic charging power adjustment based on the electricity grid and real-time electricity price to reduce electricity grid pressure.
Technologically smart EV chargers usually support transforming data through a communication network, which not only makes it easy for users to monitor the charging state by mobile phone but also achieves the DSR (Demand side response) function.DSR technology can make EV chargers automatically reduce charging power during peaks in grid demand. This technology advanced the EV charger smart level, and also improved user experience and charging efficiency.
To solve electricity requirements, The UK government has published UK EV Charging Regulations in 2021. the regulation aims to ensure Ev chargers have smart charging functions, meet the lowest level of technology requirement, and promote the interconnection and safety of all charging networks.
Specifically, the smart charging regulation includes several key requirements:
The regulation requires EV chargers to have a smart charging function, which means EV chargers can send and receive data through the communication network. And then EV chargers can adjust the amount of charging current and change the charging time based on these data to achieve smart charging. This is why the smart charging function can help to distribute peak loads reduce grid risk, and achieve off-peak charging.
To avoid the action of changing suppliers affecting the smart charging function, the regulation specifies that chargers need to keep their basic smart functionality when users change their suppliers. This regulation means users do not need to replace their charging equipment because of policy or market changes, which improves the long-term suitability of the charger and user satisfaction.
The regulations stipulate that EV chargers must continue to provide charging services even if they temporarily lose their network connection. This ensures that EV users can continue to charge their vehicles during network breakdowns or anomalies.
Smart chargers must have built-in safety systems to prevent users from taking actions that could lead to health or device safety risks. Meanwhile, EV chargers must be able to measure and record data such as power consumption and charging time per charge. Data monitoring not only helps to analyse the data but also provides a basis for future data-based network optimisation.
As an important part of the connection between EVs and the power grid, the advanced technological and intelligent development of EV chargers plays a key role in promoting the adoption of EVs. The UK Smart Charging Regulations set clear requirements for smart charging technology, interoperability, security and data monitoring, and set the direction of technology improvement and market development for the EV charging equipment industry.
In the future, as smart charging technology and regulations continue to mature, the EV charging network will achieve a more efficient, safe and environmentally friendly mode of operation.
RCD (residual current device) is a safety production device used to check and prevent electrical leakage in EV chargers. Electrical be cut down to prevent accidents when RCD detects electricity abnormality.
DIN 70121 is an early CCS DC fast charging communication protocol that provides basic vehicle-charger communication but it has no advanced authentication and security cryptography.
OTA（Over-The-Air）, means it can remotely upgrade software by the wireless network. It has become an important menthol to improving EV charger performance and user’s experience.
