Why should you consider introducing chargepoint booking systems?
As electric vehicle (EV) uptake increases, you might consider introducing booking systems across your charging infrastructure. Booking systems can increase usage of your infrastructure and improve the user experience for drivers by reducing wait times.
Drivers who haven’t yet switched to an EV might feel they can’t rely on public charging infrastructure, especially if they don’t have private off-street parking. They might think they won’t be able to charge when they need to if they believe there’s a shortage of chargepoints or that those that exist are rarely available.
Without being able to plan ahead, they may expect to spend time searching for unoccupied chargepoints or queuing until one becomes free.
These assumptions can discourage drivers from switching to EVs.
Well-implemented booking systems can improve the user experience for drivers. With a few clicks on an app, they can be assured of a charge where and when they need it. Under existing models, users can enter a password or scan a QR code at a chargepoint to start their session.
In terms of asset utilisation, booking systems can enable a greater throughput of electricity per unit. They can theoretically enable close to 100% usage rates during daytime hours if drivers arrive and leave within their allotted times. To achieve these rates without booking systems, drivers must arrive as soon as units become available and not overstay. Realistically, this could only happen at high-demand infrastructure with queues in place, which would make for a more negative customer experience.
The benefit of booking is therefore shared between all parties. As higher usage means a shorter return on investment period for the chargepoint operator.
The Department for Transport’s EV infrastructure strategy gives examples of the role chargepoint booking could play in the UK’s transport ecosystem. In one example, a customer books an on-street lamppost unit. In another, a customer books a private chargepoint through a community chargepoint sharing app.
So far, chargepoint booking systems have not been widely deployed in Scotland. However, the technology is well-established. Community charging apps use them to manage access to private home and business chargepoints. Some organisations are also using booking systems to manage charging of their fleet vehicles.
Which location types are suitable for booking systems?
Different location types will need different booking system models. As a chargepoint operator, you will need to determine which – if any – booking system is most suitable for your location.
In residential areas where units are used almost exclusively by the same group of local drivers, a system that only allows access through booking could work effectively. Drivers could use far-in-advance booking to establish a routine of charging at the same time and place every week or every other week.
In locations with more chargepoints, such as commercial zones, a balance may need struck between allowing for booking and more spontaneous charging sessions. This could be a mix of clearly signposted bookable and non-bookable units.
High-power chargers that drivers use for quick charge sessions will be less suitable for far-in-advance booking. The shorter turnaround times make late arrivals much more disruptive to later bookings. As these chargers are often used by people on longer journeys, the likelihood of traffic delays or other incidents resulting in late arrivals is much higher.
An alternative for these situations could be to let drivers reserve charge points 15-30 minutes before they arrive. This can be made possible via apps that sync to in-car infotainment interfaces and GPS systems to give real-time availability.
Some apps that link to drivers’ live locations can automatically push back reservations if the driver is stuck in traffic. This means they aren’t penalised for arriving late because of circumstances out of their control.
Alternatively, a queue management system might work at busy times in these locations.
How should you manage chargepoint booking systems?
To ensure booking systems are successful on public sites, they must provide a smooth customer experience.
Clear signage and other notifications are necessary to inform drivers that they need to book before a charging session can commence.
A combination of intelligent bay sensing technology and enforcement measures can prevent drivers who haven’t booked from blocking bays. These can also stop drivers who have booked from overstaying and inconveniencing the next user.
There are important decisions you will need to consider before implementing a booking system across your charging infrastructure. These include:
- Whether users pay a reservation fee and what this should be.
- The length of grace period to hold bookings for late arrivals.
- The penalty for not showing up or for overstaying.
- Whether to compensate users left with a reduced time slot because the previous driver has overstayed.
- Whether to include intervals between sessions to reduce disruption from overstaying.
Your decision on each of these points may vary between locations and getting it right will likely be a learning process. Chargepoint operators can benefit from sharing and learning from each other’s experiences.
Many drivers lack access to off-street parking. Booking systems can give them peace of mind, which may be key in winning this group over to switching to EVs. Implementing the right booking systems in the right way could be vital to the overall success of the country’s EV transition.
