Chargemaster launches charging network

Plans for a national network of electric car charging points and affordable solutions for home charging have been revealed.

The scheme called Polar and provided by Luton-based company Chargemaster will offer home-based fast-charging points for an installation fee of just 95, which includes a full safety check.

The service will be on a two-year contract that will cost between 19.50 and 39.50 a month, although this should still work out cheaper than the 1000 that home charging points normally cost, according to Chargemaster.

Electric car buyers will be able to sign up for the scheme when they collect their new car. Electric vehicle manufacturers Nissan, Renault and Vauxhall have already committed, while Citroen, Mitsubishi and Peugeot are expected to follow soon.

As well as the home chargers, many customers will be able to use Polar points on public streets. The company has already started to install the chargers, and has partnerships with several companies such as Little Chef, NCP and Waitrose.

The monthly membership fee doesnt cover the cost of electricity, though, and members using the public points will have to pay a further 95p per charge.

Chargemaster managing director David Martell said the aim was to have 4000 public points spread throughout cities with populations of more than 100,000 by the end of 2012.

Transport minister Philip Hammond said: 'Todays announcement by Chargemaster is exactly the kind of private-sector-led initiative that we need to drive the development of our national recharging infrastructure.'

He added that the Government is unlikely to invest further in such matters after it had offered the low-carbon vehicle grant of up to 5000, and would be leaving schemes such as this to private companies.

'I am excited by the fact that every penny of this initiative will be privately funded,' he said.