Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure

The electric vehicle charging market is fundamental in achieving the UK government’s goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.

We have extensive experience in advising both charge point providers and local authorities to help deliver and facilitate this key infrastructure.

We work with clients to explain what is acceptable to the market and what best achieves local authority objectives.

We have advised on:

• Specifications for electric vehicles
• Concessions for highways and motorway charge points
• Local authority concession arrangements to let opportunity for Highstreet charge point arrangements
• Documents where the charge point provider would contract with third parties.
• Standard forms of contract and property licensing and easement arrangements
• Requirements for location and expansion
• A complex revenue share agreement
• Future-proofing related to V2G and V2X technologies, and how they should shape future concessions
• The Public Charge Point Regulations 2023
• LEVI scheme compliance
• The future possibility that charge points may be eligible for the capacity market, by providing capacity to NGESO
• Projects where tender documentation needs to be approved by DfT
• Risk allocation
• Development of an SPV and shareholders agreement model for delivering charge point projects and sharing revenues
• Exclusivity requirements in respect of charge point arrangements
• Power/supply/grid connections
• Manufacturer warranties
• Material property issues in respect of third-party owned or occupied sites
• KPIs and developing an appropriate tender pack and cost assessment model
• Obligations, risks and liabilities for Councils in agreements with operators.

We advise on all the core areas relevant to electric vehicle infrastructure, including procurement, which is critical in charge point concession arrangements.

Our team are aware of existing uniform procurement options and have also advised public authorities regarding procurement risk of letting customisable frameworks.

We also advise on property documents, electricity licensing rules, subsidy control, and planning exemptions.

Previously, we have worked both with and on the opposite of private providers, with experience in area wide exclusivity and freedom for roll out.

We have also had extensive discussions with the market on expansion rights, co-location challenges, revenue share and ownership on expiry.

On top of this, we have developed both pay as you go and subscription models of use contract and dealt with software issues including imposing provisions requiring updates in software and firmware.

Sharpe Pritchard resources:

Supercharge your local electric vehicle initiatives with Sharpe Pritchard’s R-EV-olution – an engaging and innovative free access series which aids local authorities in deploying cutting edge electric vehicle solutions. You can access this resource here.