27th August 2025:: Exploring Affordable Rapid EV Charging for Brampton
This summer I have been working with Brampton 2 Zero on a project that looks at how we can make EV charging more accessible for people in Brampton. The aim is to explore the feasibility of installing a rapid EV charger near the Moot Hall, so that residents without off-street parking would have a more practical and affordable way to run an EV, whilst supporting the transition to net-zero.
Most public rapid chargers in the UK currently cost between 70-85p/kWh, which is often higher than the running cost of petrol. So far, a key challenge has been exploring ways to reduce these costs to work towards a target of around 40p/kWh. My findings have shown that when running costs such as maintenance, road tax, and insurance are factored in, we expect that members of a Brampton EV Charge Club would spend less overall than they would on a petrol car.
I have been enjoying the chance to apply my physics background to a real-world setting. This has included assessing local demand, researching ownership models, and analysing costs. It has been rewarding to see how the skills I use in my degree can contribute to benefit the community. I have also learnt a lot about the challenges of balancing sustainability goals with financial challenges, helping to develop skills I know will be valuable for me in the future.
To help assess the demand, we've organised a survey. This will be used to contribute to the feasibility study to make more accurate cost predictions and ensure the project meets community needs.
Did you know?
91% of EV drivers say they wouldn't return to petrol or diesel
86% of EV owners find their vehicles cheaper to run compared to petrol or diesel
The UK government has announced a target for 100% of new car and van sales to be ultra-low emission vehicles by 2030
EVs produce zero tailpipe emissions, improving local air quality and reducing emissions of CO2, NOx, and particulates
The lithium in an EV battery can be reused many times through recycling and new standards mean more of this lithium will come from recycled sources
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