Electric Vehicle Consumer Code announces affiliate scheme and new members

Posted: 3 November, 2020. Written by Lorraine Haskell

The Electric Vehicle Consumer Code for Home Chargepoints (EVCC) has opened its doors to electric vehicle charge point manufacturers, energy suppliers, and other ‘affiliates’ who are exposed to the installation market. It is also announcing that ten installers have now come on board as full members, having only launched in mid-February 2020 on the precipice of lockdown.

Two influential manufacturers, myenergi and Garo, have become Affiliates of the Code. This commits them to working with their supply chain to ensure their installers meet the high consumer protection standards required by the Code.

In this way, becoming an EVCC Affiliate shows commitment to safeguarding consumers and is a badge of high standards and good practice in the electric vehicle chargepoint market.

EVCC can confirm it has ten full installer members, all active in the sector. These installers have opted to join the Code and are also authorised by the UK Office for Low Emission Vehicles to work with the Electric Vehicle Homecharge Scheme.

By choosing an EVCC Member consumers can be confident when making a purchasing decision. EVCC members are obliged to comply with high consumer protection standards from advertising, marketing and claims to quotations, estimates and contract terms to follow-up issues, including how to handle a complaint if things go wrong. The Code also provides alternative dispute resolution in the event of customer complaints.

The Code has an important role to play at a time when the Government is reviewing grant support to the EV charging sector as part of its Comprehensive Spending Review. As the installation of home chargepoints has increased over recent years, so have complaints from consumers. Citizens Advice reports that, between July 2019 - June 2020, they received calls from consumers citing:

• faulty or bad installs
• disagreements over contract terms
• overcharging or unexpected charges
• being pressured into buying a chargepoint
• unclear warranty terms
• difficulty contacting installers and disagreements when getting issues fixed.

Jordan Brompton, co-founder of myenergi said on the EVCC Affiliate scheme:

“myenergi has joined EVCC as an affiliate, to give consumers the assurance that the installers they are working with adhere to high standards and hold consumer protection in high regard.

“Installers should want to become members of EVCC to show that they meet standards, have nothing to hide and give consumers clarity, confidence and peace of mind. In addition, and by doing so, installers should win more business.”

Virginia Graham, Chief Executive of Renewable Energy Assurance Ltd said:

“The expansion of this scheme is an important milestone for consumer protection in this market. Thanks to pioneers such as myenergi and Garo we will be expanding membership and moving into other parts of the EV charging market.

“Consumer protection and confidence is essential if we are to scale this industry and achieve the phase-out of the sale of new petrol and diesel cars and vans by 2035 or earlier.”

Find EVCC members here.

Find more on EVCC Affiliates here.