In the UK, Zap-Map has launched two peer-to-peer EV charging networks—Zap-Home and Zap-Work—designed to allow charge point owners to share their devices with other EV drivers.

According to responses from Zap-Map users and EV charging surveys, almost 50% of EV drivers are willing to share their home charge point with other users. This means around 60,000 EV charge points could potentially be added to the Zap-Home network, expanding the EV charging infrastructure available to other registered Zap-Map users.

Zap-Home also gives unit owners the option to bring in some income from their charge point. Having registered their charge point on Zap-Home, unit owners can set a cost per charge to cover costs if they wish, with users able to pay securely via PayPal.me.

Points on the Zap-Home network will be displayed on Zap-Map, but only registered Zap-Map users will be able to see contact details. Those wishing to use a Zap-Home point can then contact the unit owner directly to arrange a charge.

Complementing Zap-Home is Zap-Work, a network aimed at small business owners. Feedback to Zap-Map shows that more than 30% of workplace charge point owners are willing to make them available to other EV drivers to use.

Targeted at businesses and organizations not already part of an established network, Zap-Work points are available for other Zap-Map users to view, again with direct contact possible to organize payment and access requirements.

Zap-Work locations have the potential to provide regular charging options to EV owners that don’t have access to off-street parking or a home point. In return, workplace charge point owners would see the costs of installation recovered faster, with the option to charge non-company users for the amount of electricity used.