British Gas owner Centrica has revealed it is retraining its smart meter engineers to meet the “growing demand for electric vehicles” (EVs), while expanding its Local Heroes service to offer EV charging installations.
Centrica says its Local Heroes service hopes to gain around 10-15 per cent of the market share of all domestic charge point installations in the UK and will help users to pick their charger and unlock government grants towards the cost.
The service will help customers identify what type of charger they need for their home and find a suitable tradesperson to install it.
The work is backed by a 12-month British Gas guarantee and the chargers are covered by a 3-year manufacturer warranty.
A digital survey is required of the customers to help the engineer to understand what parts and labour are required for the installation.
Dave Kirwan, managing director UK Home at Centrica, said: “British Gas already offers time of use tariffs for electric vehicle owners, so they can benefit from cheaper electricity off peak and we can now also help consumers find a cost effective and efficient way to install their EV charger.
“We are committed to this market and so made the decision to upskill our engineering workforce in preparation for the shift to EVs.
“We were one of the first to start installing domestic charge points and are a preferred supplier for the large car manufacturers.”
The announcement follows the news that Centrica has committed to fully electrify its 12,500-strong fleet of vehicles by 2030.
Centrica’s head of environment, James Rushden, said: “The direction of travel for our fleet is clear and we’re proud to be supporting our customers and the wider industry as we continue to understand the implications of EV roll out at scale.
“With a global network of over 15,000 engineers and technicians, and expertise in designing and managing energy solutions through Centrica Business Solutions, I believe we are uniquely positioned to help other businesses make the shift to a transport system that is cleaner, more sustainable and more efficient.”
Fellow big six supplier SSE and facilities management company Mitie also announced they have joined the Climate Group’s EV100 initiative.