Just over half (51%) of NHS trusts in the UK have installed EV charging infrastructure on-site for their staff, patients and the wider community, according to figures released by power management firm Eaton.
The study, obtained by a Freedom of Information request, also found that a further 43% of NHS Trusts either plan to install charging facilities on-site within the next five years or are in early-stage planning around how best to integrate such capabilities.
Additionally, only 6% of NHS trusts had no plans to introduce EV charging points at the moment. Eaton said this is a promising trend towards upgrading facilities to meet the public’s changing needs, while reducing overall emissions
The company added the results are positive news for consumers thinking about switching to an EV.
Marc Gaunt, segment lead, commercial buildings at Eaton, said: “Concerns around the UK’s lack of EV charging infrastructure have inhibited EV adoption due to range anxiety: the fear that an EV would have insufficient range to reach its destination and leave the driver stranded.
“Yet EVs and their underlying infrastructure are a vital piece of our route to a low carbon future. EVs offer a cleaner mode of transport while smart charging infrastructure not only powers the future of travel but embeds more flexibility into our energy grid to enable decarbonisation at a national level.”
However, the research did find that there were concerns within the NHS regarding electric capacity for charging. Half of the trusts flagged that they would need greater electrical capacity, while two thirds responding it may incur additional energy costs through greater peak demand.
A quarter of trusts did recognising the potential to create new revenue streams from new charging facilities. The FOI revealed that very few NHS trusts (11%) are currently participating in selling energy back to the grid through energy storage technologies. One fifth (23%) plan to use energy storage to start selling energy back to the grid in the next five years, but two-thirds (65%) have no plans to do so.
Gaunt added: “Estate and facilities managers often consider building energy first when considering decarbonisation, but travel and transport is a vital consideration. NHS trusts are adopting EV charging infrastructure rapidly and offering staff, patients and visitors a cleaner alternative to significantly lower their total carbon footprint.
“Public and commercial buildings will need to follow suit. Every building – not just hospitals – will need to play its part if we are to meet the challenges presented by the rapid adoption of EVs and accelerate the UK’s path to a low carbon future.”
