Driveway 'lifespan' warning as replacements needed 'by 2030'

Electric vehicle (EV) owners are being cautioned that the technology sitting on their driveways could end up in landfill within a few years. A firm manufacturing chargers has warned that many currently used by UK EV drivers are not upgradeable and will inevitably need replacing as they become outdated.

Simpson and Partners, a producer of sustainable chargers, is urging drivers to consider the lifespan of their home electric car charger. With charging technology evolving at the same rapid pace as the electric cars themselves, the company estimates that more than 100,000 chargers will be consigned to landfill by 2030, due to their inability to keep up with the latest advancements.

Mandy Simpson, co-founder, said: "It's time consumers knew the truth about charger lifespans – and some won't last as long as the electric cars they charge.

"Building the electric vehicle infrastructure is crucial to encourage greater electric vehicle uptake, but not if the chargers can't be updated. An S&P charger will not end up in landfill, they are engineered and designed to last. The majority of chargers bought today are sealed units that can't be updated – they have to be thrown out and replaced as new technology arrives."

Simpson and Partners said that its chargers were future-proof, with easy updates for both hardware and software within secure, weather-tight enclosures; the company has just introduced the Home Series Gen V3 EV charger, poised to pioneer intelligent bi-directional charging (V2G) between electric vehicles and the grid.

It said it had also upgraded its Gen 2 and Gen 3 chargers to align with the Intelligent Octopus Go tariff, now allowing drivers to tap into smart energy savings, vehicle independent. This grants six hours of off-peak electricity nightly for the whole household, facilitating the most economical and eco-friendly EV charging.

Moreover, customers can take advantage of the new Octopus Intelligent Drive pack, offering unlimited scheduled smart charging for a flat £30 monthly fee.

David Simpson, co-founder and COO, said: "We are very excited that our new chargers are fully accredited with the Intelligent Octopus GO energy tariff, which makes light work of charging an EV when prices are the most competitive. It opens up mass-market smart charging that's inclusive, effective, and ready for whatever car you drive.

"Additionally with our vehicle to grid capability, customers will in the future have the opportunity to earn cash when sending energy back to the grid. A huge thanks to the Kraken and Octopus teams for working together with us to deliver the benefits of the Intelligent Octopus Go to our loyal customers."

Mandy Simpson said: "We refuse to design, engineer and manufacture products that just end up in landfill. It really should not be happening in our journey to a more sustainable world."