Zapmap’s Melanie Shufflebotham shares her insights on the EV market
In the world of electric vehicles, Melanie Shufflebotham, Co-founder and COO of Zapmap, provides a critical perspective. With over a decade of EV market expertise, and deep knowledge of the charging market and EV data sets, she has her finger on the pulse of e-mobility. As part of our development of the latest Futurice E40 report, we sat down with her to get the inside scoop on market trends, challenges, and innovations driving the industry forward. Here’s what she had to say.
Starting out as merely a spreadsheet and a map, Zapmap is now at the forefront of the UK's EV revolution, supporting both consumers and businesses with invaluable tools and insights. "It's about providing a single app which aggregates all the charge points, provides information about them, and gets feedback from other drivers," explains Melanie Shufflebotham.
Data-driven insights are central to Zapmap's operations. Regular surveys sent to EV drivers provide valuable information on behaviour and preferences. Zapmap also plays a crucial role in assisting businesses with electrification efforts. The launch of Zapmap Spark enables businesses to integrate EV-centric features into their digital platforms. "We give away a lot of data for free on our sites. We support businesses thinking about where to install chargepoints or investing in chargepoint companies," says Melanie.
Obstacles on the road
Melanie highlights several challenges: "A few years ago the emphasis was on practical questions. Now, the questions are more existential ones about the impact of EVs." Policy delays, reduced consumer incentives, and the need for more charging infrastructure pose significant hurdles. Additionally, cultural resistance and misinformation are notable barriers. "The Government could help with myth-busting efforts by providing clear facts,” Melanie states.
The infrastructure development also remains uneven, with Greater London leading while other regions lag. Currently, the UK has 60,000 public chargers, including 12,000 high-powered ones. Government and regulatory support will be crucial, such as equalizing VAT rates for domestic and public charging and reducing planning requirements to support private sector investments.
What lies ahead
The UK EV market is expanding rapidly, with 600,000 more EVs expected in the next year and Melanie foresees continued growth in EV adoption and charging infrastructure. Emerging trends like smart charging and electric HGVs are set to gain momentum. The integration of home and public charging will become more sophisticated, focusing on smart and dynamic pricing. Melanie also anticipates innovation in infrastructure, including street charging solutions and transforming lamp-posts into chargers. "I’d like to see more low-tech solutions like those being developed by Char.gy and Connected Kerb," she suggests.
With a rapidly growing market and continuous innovation in infrastructure and technology, the future of electric mobility in the UK looks bright but there are obvious challenges to beat and a fiercely competitive market. For a deeper understanding of these trends and comprehensive insights, explore Futurice UK's latest E40 report, spotlighting the most innovative EV players and examining global trends from a UK perspective.
Matthew EdwardsManaging Director, UK
