The government’s long-awaited strategy on EV infrastructure has now been revealed with motorists set to benefit from a tenfold expansion in public chargers.
In December 2021 more than a quarter of all new cars sold in the UK were battery electric vehicles and there continues to be massive investment in vehicle technology and new electric cars being launched.
It is against this backdrop that the government says it expects a minimum of 300,000 public chargers by 2030 with these installed ahead of demand to inspire confidence in drivers who have not yet made the switch.
“No matter where you live – be that a city centre or rural village, the north, south, east or west of the country, we’re powering up the switch to electric and ensuring no one gets left behind in the process,” said Transport Secretary Grant Shapps.
Hendy Group chief executive Paul Hendy welcomed publication of the 138-page report which he says will help give motorists the confidence they need to make the switch to EV.
“We know that many people do want to make the switch to electric power but have said that a lack of public chargers has been a barrier to making that change,” he said. “This infrastructure strategy addresses this issue, and we look forward to the plan becoming a reality.”
The report sets out the government’s plans for a £450m fund for councils to fund on-street chargers and local hubs for electric drivers who don’t have driveways.
It also says that drivers should be able to pay for charge points using contactless payment and it will be mandatory for charge point operators to provide real-time data about their charge points and prices and meet a 99 per cent reliability standard.
Hendy EV ambassador Philippa Forrester, the environmentalist, TV presenter and author said, “This is an exciting announcement for any current EV driver or for those looking to take the plunge, making public charging widely accessible, easy to operate and pay for and simply having more chargers is absolutely key to more of us being able to make the switch. I’m really looking forward to enjoying the benefits of the increased infrastructure as it becomes a reality.”