char.gy has partnered with Charge Saint to tackle the growing issue of ‘bay blocking’- a challenge that restricts EV drivers from accessing charging points. This collaboration aims to enhance the accessibility and reliability of charging infrastructure by improving bay management and ensuring charge points remain fully operational.
EV drivers who encounter a blocked charging bay or a damaged charge point can easily report the issue through the Charge Saint app, which is available for download on the Apple App Store and Google Play. Charge Saint’s advanced monitoring technology will be integrated into char.gy’s network operations, providing real-time data on charge point usage. This integration ensures that all reports submitted by EV drivers using char.gy charge points are sent directly to char.gy, allowing the Charge Point Operator (CPO) to take swift action. The data collected from drivers can also be shared with local authorities, helping them understand when, where, and how often bays are blocked. This valuable insight enables local authorities to make more informed decisions and take enforcement action when necessary.
This solution aims to encourage responsible parking behaviour, as accessible and efficient charging infrastructure plays a crucial role in the UK’s transition to electric vehicles. This is particularly important for the ~40% of households that rely on public charging due to the lack of home charging access. The effectiveness of public charging infrastructure depends not only on the number of charge points available but also on how well they are managed and maintained to ensure reliability for EV users.
Charge Saint expressed their enthusiasm about the partnership, stating:
“We are delighted that one of the largest on-street Charge Point Operators is integrating Charge Saint across its network of over 3,600 charge points. char.gy is taking on-street charging very seriously, with forward-thinking time-of-use tariffs, excellent insights into how people use their charge points, and an ambitious expansion plan. They are an invaluable lifeline for EV drivers without off-street parking from London to East Lothian, Scotland.
We believe Charge Saint will further enhance the user experience by identifying problem areas where charging bays are frequently misused, as well as registering photographic evidence of vandalism or suspicious QR code stickers. By collaborating with Charge Saint and Local Authorities, char.gy is taking a proactive stance in eliminating these challenges, ensuring their charge points remain accessible when drivers need them most.”
A member of the Powered Up Conference steering committee added:
“We believe local authorities across the UK are committed to expanding EV charging infrastructure while balancing the needs of all road users. Ensuring that charging bays remain accessible is essential to encouraging EV adoption and supporting the transition to cleaner transport. To address challenges such as ‘ICEing’ (non-EV vehicles blocking EV bays) or EVs parked without charging, councils must be informed about recurring incidents to take enforcement measures and consider implementing dedicated EV bays. The innovative solution offered by char.gy and Charge Saint has the potential to streamline this process, helping local authorities ensure that charging infrastructure remains reliable and accessible for drivers across the country.”
char.gy CEO, John Lewis shares his view:
“Partnering with Charge Saint allows us to take a more proactive approach in ensuring charge point availability and swiftly addressing issues like physical damage and bay misuse. Their thorough approach to reporting and commitment to enabling quick response times is what sets this solution apart. By integrating Charge Saint’s reporting system into our operations, we can work more closely and effectively with local authorities. Our goal is to make on-street EV charging as accessible and reliable as possible, and we’re excited to see how this collaboration will enhance the charging experience for our growing community of char.gy drivers.”
Through improved bay management and proactive issue resolution, this partnership between char.gy and Charge Saint directly supports local authorities with their mission to provide accessible infrastructure, providing the necessary confidence to EV drivers and those considering making the switch.