Electricians looking for new career advancement opportunities will know these are bound to come in areas where there is a high level of demand for skills and a shortage of people with the right training. As the UK continues its shift towards electric vehicles, an EV charging course is an obvious route to providing the skills needed to meet a rising need for chargers.
However, every so often certain tabloids might try to mislead somewhat, or at least pander to the prejudices of readers who are sceptical about the practicality of switching en masse from petrol and diesel (as well as other environmental initiatives and the general ambition of reaching ‘Net Zero’).
For those who hold such views, it might be tempting to say “I told you so” if they see a headline such as that in the Retail Gazette, which proclaimed: “ASDA pulls the plug on electric vehicle charging points”.
That might suggest that ASDA customers don’t want to go electric, or that they have received feedback showing the public just isn’t buying into the project. But those reading on through the article might note that things are not so simple.
It is not that the data isn’t clear. The RAC carried out an analysis showing that while ASDA car parks had a collective 165 charge points at the start of 2023, a year later this was down to 46. What is more significant is the question of why this is, as well as what is not the reason.
Firstly, there is a somewhat complicated issue of ownership. ASDA is owned by the Issa Brothers, who are also owners of the EG Group of petrol stations. Last year ASDA gained control of the 350 EG group stations.
At the same time, the EG Group agreed on a deal last year with Tesla to provide chargers at its filling stations, but this deal does not extend to ASDA Car Parks.
The fact EG Group is dealing with Tesla in this way shows it is not against EV chargers at all. That they will be established at filling stations may be more about bringing more trade to its forecourts than might be the case if drivers could charge up while shopping in ASDA instead.
Whatever the reasons for the reduction in ASDA car parks, it is not only clear that the retailer’s owners are not against EV charging, but it is also obvious that supermarket car park users are not either.
This is evident from the fact that ASDA’s rivals are investing heavily in chargers, with Retail Gazette pointing to Tesco teaming up with Vauxhall in a new initiative to encourage EV use and Sainsbury’s launching its own ‘Smart Charge’ charging business.
As for the kind of scepticism voiced about electric vehicles in some quarters, it seems many of the mid-market tabloids that have printed negative stories are changing their tune.
For instance, the Daily Express has published a myth-buster story with the help of EV hire company Octopus Electric Vehicles.
Among stories it has dispelled include the idea that EV batteries only last around five years, when they typically last eight to ten and in some cases may soon be covered by a lifetime warranty anyway, meaning they can always be replaced if necessary.
EVs are clearly the future, which is why skilled electricians will clearly be needed to make it happen.