Written evidence submitted by Fuuse (SEV0093)
About Fuuse
Fuuse is the UK’s leading charge point management system (CPMS) provider with offices in Lancaster, Manchester, London and Glasgow. Our platform powers over 20,000 charge points across the UK, supporting commercial, workplace, fleet and charge point operators. We also provide a 24/7 driver support centre handling over 10,000 calls from EV drivers a month. Clients include SSE, Scottish Power, Arnold Clark Charge, Be.EV, Toyota, MFG, and over 100 local authorities. We also process and manage tens of millions in payments for operators.
Our evidence is based on hands-on experience of deploying and operating EV charging infrastructure across a wide range of real-world settings. We focus on what works in practice, not just what looks good on paper.
Question f: What are the most significant factors affecting consumer confidence in EVs?
Reliability and trust matter most
For drivers, confidence in EVs comes down to trust. People need to trust that a charger will be available when they need it, that it will work when they plug in, and that they will be billed accurately for the energy they use.
When charging fails, confidence drops
From our experience managing charging networks, issues such as poor uptime, faulty equipment and billing errors quickly undermine trust. Even a small number of negative experiences can put people off using public charging altogether. Reliable operation and a smooth user experience are therefore central to building and maintaining consumer confidence.
Question g: What further action is required to ensure that the rollout of EV charging infrastructure facilitates transition at the necessary rate?
Shift the focus from installation to operation
The next phase of rollout must focus less on the number of charge points installed and more on how well they operate at scale. Reliable hardware is important, but it is only part of the picture. Investment is also needed in robust charge point management systems and the operational capability that sits behind them.
Interoperability and open standards are essential
Open standards such as OCPP 1.6 and 2.0.1 are critical to creating flexible and future-proof charging networks. They allow different hardware to work together and help avoid long-term vendor lock-in. As the only UK CPMS to be certified to both standards, we see interoperability as essential to a healthy and competitive market.
Cyber security must be taken seriously
As charging networks become more connected and data-driven, cyber security becomes increasingly important. Protecting network integrity and user data must be treated as a core requirement.
Software is not optional
Our operational experience shows that the software layer is what allows networks to scale reliably. Real-time monitoring, performance management, payment processing, network security and energy optimisation all depend on it. Without strong software and data capability, charging infrastructure will struggle to meet growing demand. Government has put considerable investment, in some cases directly, into installation, it should now recognise that the future of EV charging is software first, as opposed to just installation and hardware.
Industry needs to be honest about challenges
Examples.
Fraud is a growing issue, but awareness is minimal. Payment methods, such as roaming, post-pay and wallets have inherent risks, which are increasingly abused by drivers, some on an industrial scale.
Pre-authorisation on contactless payments is responsible for 40% of all driver phone calls but there is no joined up approach to resolution.
Industry needs to be clear about returns from kerbside charging. Low levels of utilisation and low margins could lead to future market failure for those with a significant exposure to this market. Councils have already acted to address revenue return and performance issues before the LEVI rollout.
Effectiveness of the Public Charge Point Regulations need to be reviewed
The enablement of PCPR has positively changed the CPO market but there have been some probably be unintended consequences or other aspects to consider.
Question h: How effectively is the Department for Transport addressing issues in the rollout of charging infrastructure?
Procurement must look beyond short-term solutions
Public procurement needs to place greater value on long-term, adaptable software platforms. Too often, turnkey solutions are prioritised, which can lock organisations into outdated technology and limit future flexibility. A CPMS shouldn’t be treated as a one-off purchase, this is long-term infrastructure that evolves over time.
Standards are strong, but enforcement is key
The UK has introduced world-leading standards through the Public Charge Point Regulations. Measures such as PAS 1899 for accessible charging are vital to ensuring the network works for everyone. However, standards alone are not enough. Effective enforcement and adequate resourcing are needed to make sure these rules genuinely improve reliability and user experience. Without this, there is a risk of losing trust from consumers and commitment from industry.
Public funding must evolve
Government support has played an important role in getting the sector off the ground. However, continued public funding risks distorting the market and discouraging private investment. Ongoing government-linked funding for selected businesses can create an uneven playing field. To scale at pace, the sector now needs a more competitive, commercially driven approach.
Grid connections remain a practical barrier
Despite progress, delays in grid connections continue to slow deployment. We regularly see projects held back by lengthy connection timelines. Better coordination between distribution network operators, charge point operators and local authorities is needed to streamline processes and reduce delays.
Addressing the cost of public charging
The current VAT difference between domestic charging at 5 percent and public charging at 20 percent creates a real affordability issue, particularly for people without off-street parking. We would welcome VAT parity, as well as a return to standing charges being applied only when connections are used. These changes would help reduce the cost of public charging and support a fairer transition to electric vehicles.
Additionally, standing chargers, primarily TCR has led to the cost of small hub rising from £87 in 2021 to a staggering £37,000+ in 2026. This significantly adds to costs and drives down ROI, which reduces investment in underserved areas of the country.
Data and more information available upon request
There is much more we could add based on qualitative and quantitative data and experience.
If you’d like more information or would like us to share any data with you – please get in touch and we’ll be happy to discuss further.
January 2026