While the on-going coronavirus situation has reduced car usage significantly, the lock-down restrictions have not halted all journeys. Essential travel is still taking place both by key workers needing to get to work and also for essential journeys by many including local food and medicine delivery services.
Temporary restriction updates on Zap-Map
Since public EV charging infrastructure can play a crucial part in keeping these key workers on the road, Zap-Map has been coordinating with public charging networks with an aim to provide as up-to-date information as possible on which charge points are impacted by any site closures due to coronavirus.
When we are made aware of a partial or total accessibility issue, either from the network or direct from EV drivers, we are updating charge points with a new temporary restriction message; to date we have added a new restriction to over 345 charge points.
The restriction message can be seen in the Info tab on charge points and on the main device page on the app. Please let us know via the app if you spot any issues with charge points such as being accessible behind a barrier or changed opening times or give any general feedback via email on support@zap-map.com.
Network status updates
Below is a summary of number of inaccessible chargers by networks based on the information collated by Zap-Map from both network operators and users. Charging devices which are known to be affected are labelled as inaccessible within the information shown on Zap-Map’s desktop map and mobile apps.
Networks with access to one or more charge points restricted due to coronavirus situation (updated 24/07/2020):
• Brighton and Hove City Council: 1 charge point
• Charge Your Car: 12 charge points
• ChargePlace Scotland: 55 charge points
• D2N2: 3 charge points
• Ecotricity: 3 charge points
• Engie: 1 charge point
• EV Charge.Online: 4 charge points
• Hyundai Dealerships: 2 charge points
• InstaVolt: 2 charge points
• Nissan Dealerships: Most units affected, chargers at some partially open dealerships still accessible
• Pod Point: 13 charge points
• Polar: 7 charge points
• Renault Dealerships: 2 charge points
• Tesla Destination: 16 charge points
• Tesla Supercharger: 14 charge points
• Vend Electric: 6 charge points
• ZeroNet: 2 charge points
While the figures shown are approximate and subject to change, Zap-Map shall endeavour to keep the above information as up to date as possible. Note that affected charge points may be either totally inaccessible or subject to reduced opening hours; please therefore check Zap-Map before travelling to a charge point for the latest updates.
Networks assisting travel of key workers and/or emergency personnel during the coronavirus situation:
• Alfa Power: Free charging for all NHS workers.
• Franklin Energy: Free access to EV charging for key workers.
• GeniePoint: Free access to EV charging for key workers, having already provided more than 400,000 free electric miles to key workers during the coronavirus outbreak. Offer also applies to drivers on GeniePoint-operated Revive and Dragon Charging networks, this offer is set to end on 19th June. 104+ MWh of free electricity has already been supplied over the past eight weeks by the network.
• Polar: Free charging for emergency services fleet vehicles; Credits for taxi drivers participating in NHS Heroes initiative; Waiving April & May subscription fees for individuals; Lending EV Experience Centre cars to Met Police & Milton Keynes Council; Supporting staff volunteering for NHS.
• Source London: Free access to EV charging for NHS & Met Police staff.
• Symphony EV: Free use of electric vehicle fleet offered to hospitals, vulnerable groups, and the elderly across the Liverpool city region.
Zap-Map Coronavirus Impact Survey
Zap-Map has worked with the Association for Renewable Energy and Clean Technology (REA) to conduct a survey with the aim of understanding the impact of the coronavirus outbreak on EV charging in the UK.
The survey is now complete and results published. You can view the findings by clicking the button below.
The results will be made available to the UK Government so that they are aware of any issues with EV charging infrastructure at this, as well as charging networks and other organisations that help ensure charge points are available for key workers.
Zap-Map coronavirus policy
Zap-Map fully supports the UK Government’s official guidelines in regards to travel. Only those essential trips should be undertaken by drivers of vehicles with any powertrain, including electric models.
As such, any guidance given here should not be seen as an encouragement to travel, but is intended to provide assistance to those who rely on electric vehicles to continue their tasks as key workers or undertaking essential travel.
Those key workers that rely on electric vehicle charge points or people undertaking essential travel can continue to use Zap-Map on desktop and smartphone app as usual.
When using charge points, and in line with government advice on ‘high-touch’ services, it is recommended that drivers wash their hands each time after coming in contact with the charger and/or connector. Use of an alcohol-bases hand sanitiser is recommended when hand washing facilities are not available.
