Trade bodies Renewable Energy Association (REA) and the UK Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment Association (UK EVSE) have merged.
UK EVSE will integrate with REA’s EV Forum, which was established in 2017, to provide a “robust and coherent” representation of the sector.
The deal will see UK EVSE’s members join a 75-strong group of companies involved in installing, operating, manufacturing, financing, and providing services to the charging industry in the UK. In addition many will gain access to other REA member groups, such as the Solar Forum and Energy Storage Forum, which will deepen the sector’s expertise.
Furthermore, low-emission vehicle research consultancy Cenex will join the REA EV Steering Group, providing technical expertise in charge point technology, installation, and operations, which the REA says will enable it to better respond to key industry debates relating to standards, data, and the electricity grid.
Nina Skorupska, chief Executive of the REA, said: “The integration of UK EVSE with the REA’s EV Forum means centralising resources, concentrating collective expertise, and ensuring coherent communications to government.
“We hope that this move will both deepen the REA’s expertise in electric vehicle infrastructure but also empower our new members with knowledge and skill in our other work areas, such as that in solar and energy storage, all of which are converging at a rapid rate.
“We welcome our new members and will continue to work to provide a progressive and effective voice for the charging infrastructure and wider renewable energy sector.”
Tanya Sinclair, director of policy UK & Ireland at ChargePoint and chair of the REA EV Forum, said: “This announcement sends a clear message to those involved in manufacturing, installing, operating, and providing services to the charging infrastructure sector that the REA is the go-to association for the industry. This tie-up will result in a more joined-up voice to government and represents progress for our rapidly maturing sector.”