Elektromotive is to create the UK’s largest pay-as-you-go ‘open source’ network of public access charging stations for EVs, based upon the development of its proven pay-by-phone technology.

The initiative comes as the result of a new joint venture with Charge your Car (North). The new company – Charge Your Car – will expand the existing Charge your Car (North) network located predominantly across North east England, and incorporate other regional networks and stand-alone units under the Charge Your Car brand.

The goal is to create a recharging network with 10,000 public access pay-as-you-go charge points located across the UK.

To accelerate its rapid expansion, the national network will be ‘open source’, meaning that charge points produced by any manufacturer can be included on the network, provided they use the industry-standard Open Charge Point Protocol (OCPP).

Elektromotive, which has an installed base of more than 3,000 charge points making it one of Europe’s leading charge point manufacturers, is developing second-generation back office technology and a new user interface. The joint venture will create a marketplace that connects charge point owners to EV drivers.

For the EV driver, the development and expansion of the Charge Your Car network means it will become much easier to gain ready access to charging points across the UK, and do so without the need to pay a monthly subscription.

It also means that they can locate and pay for the use of any Charge Your Car charge point using their mobile phone or smartphone.