Drivers without off-street parking often pay far more per kilowatt-hour at public chargers than drivers who charge at home. A new UK innovation project is exploring whether that gap can be closed. On September 7, 2026, EV Infrastructure News reported that SSEN Distribution has received funding from Ofgem’s Strategic Innovation Fund for its “Roaming MPAN” discovery project.
About the Project
- SSEN Distribution received £166,092 from Ofgem’s Strategic Innovation Fund.
- The project explores letting drivers use their home electricity tariff at public chargers.
- Project partners are Cenex, Charge My Street, EDF Energy and Smart DCC.
- An MPAN (Meter Point Administration Number) identifies an electricity supply point in Great Britain; the idea is to let a driver’s supply account “roam” to a public charger.
Why It Matters
Around a third of UK public chargers are on-street, according to the latest Department for Transport statistics, and many serve drivers without driveways. If home tariffs could follow drivers to public chargers, the cost gap between home and public charging would narrow, making EV ownership more attractive for people in flats and terraced houses.
What It Means for Buyers
The project is at discovery stage, so no changes are imminent. It does show where UK public AC charging is heading: closer integration with energy suppliers, smart metering and billing platforms. Charger buyers should prioritise connected, OCPP-ready hardware that can adapt as billing models change. See our UK market page.
Related Reading
- EV Charging News: Zaptec and Kraken Partner on Smart Tariffs and Vehicle-to-Grid for Charger Owners
- EV Charging News: Battery-Electric Cars Reach 20.7% of EU Registrations in the First Half of 2026
- Bidirectional Charging Explained: V2L, V2H and V2G
Key Takeaways
- SSEN Distribution received £166,092 from Ofgem’s Strategic Innovation Fund for “Roaming MPAN”.
- The project explores using home electricity tariffs at public chargers.
- Partners include Cenex, Charge My Street, EDF Energy and Smart DCC.
- Connected, OCPP-ready hardware is best placed for future billing models.
Sources & Standards
