Electric charging point database Zap-Map has launched two services that let people share their power with other EV owners.
Zap-Home and Zap-Work allow owners of domestic and workplace charge points to offer their electricity to EV drivers, increasing the UK’s charging infrastructure without installing more units.
According to a Zap-Map survey of 2,198 people, 48 per cent of domestic charge point owners would be willing to consider sharing their electricity with other EV drivers. This works out at a potential 60,000 charging stations that could be opened up for public use.
Zap-Home lets users share the location of their charge point on Zap-Map, along with contact details so people can arrange a time to use it. The owner can then set a cost per charge to cover their electricity bill, which the user settles via PayPal.
In addition, 31 per cent of workplaces with EV charging stations are happy to do the same thing. This is where Zap-Work comes in, with the same set-up as Zap-Home as regards contact, payment and access.
Ben Lane, chief technology officer at Zap-Map, said: “We are delighted to be bringing Zap-Home and Zap-Work to the UK EV market in response to the growing demand for charger sharing services.
“Of our 60,000 monthly user base, we know that around half are willing to share their home point with other Zap-Map users. Businesses are particularly proactive, with five per cent of workplace charging points already being shared, either for employee use or as part of improving customer service.”
Melanie Shufflebotham, chief operating officer and director of Zap-Map, added: “Zap-Home and Zap-Work complement the UK’s rapidly expanding public EV charging infrastructure, confirming the country as one of the world’s leading plug-in car markets.
“Zap-Map will continue to innovate in 2018 with new product features, more dynamic data partners, and additional buying tools to help drivers make the transition to EVs and to maintain our position as the UK’s number one EV charging platform and network aggregator.”
