There are warnings that ‘certain parts of the country risk being left behind’ in the rollout of electric vehicle charging points. This comes as the government insists the UK’s network is ‘world-leading’.
Transport secretary Grant Shapps is urging local authorities to take advantage of a further £20 million of funding to add 4,000 more charging points. The government has received applications for nearly 4,000 points since the On-Street Residential Chargepoint Scheme (ORCS) was introduced in 2017.
A leading think-tank says this won’t be enough. The Policy Exchange says the UK will need 400,000 public chargers by 2030 – the year of the ban on sales of new petrol and diesel cars. The annual rate of installation must increase from 7,000 to 35,000 over the next decade.
In the foreword to a report published by Policy Exchange, Simon Clarke wrote: ‘Whereas a driver of a petrol car can travel confidently from Land’s End to John O’Groats, knowing that they can refill the tank every few miles, that is not yet the case for EVs.
‘Some areas have naturally built up impressive coverage, such as central London, but vast swathes of the country have not. This important report sets out a way to meet the challenge.’
‘Major policy failure’
The RAC agrees that a rapid expansion is required. Rod Dennis said: “Without a big increase in the number of charge points right across the UK, certain parts of the country risk getting left behind as 2030 approaches. Everyone remembers what happened when broadband started to be rolled out and some areas were left with poor connections. It would be a major policy failure if something similar happened in the next few years with communities missing out on good charging provision.
“The UK’s charging infrastructure also needs simplifying to avoid drivers having to try to understand a plethora of different apps and charging systems. Something more akin to the simple process of filling up by petrol and diesel would be very welcome. At least drivers can be comforted by the fact all new charge points installed have to allow payment by contactless bank card.”
The ORCS was introduced in 2017 to provide funding for on-street residential projects. Local authorities can apply for 75 percent of the capital costs of procuring and installing an electric charge point and associated dedicated parking bay. Typically, the maximum the Office for Low Emission Vehicles (OLEV) will fund per charge point is £6,500.
‘Build back greener’
Recent research revealed that some councils have no plans to install more EV charging points before the end of 2025.
Announcing the additional funding, Grant Shapps said: “From Cumbria to Cornwall, drivers across the country should benefit from the electric vehicle revolution we’re seeing right now.
“With a world-leading charging network, we’re making it easier for more people to switch to electric vehicles, creating healthier neighbourhoods and cleaning up our air as we build back greener.”
Nick Harvey, senior programme manager at Energy Saving Trust, added: “The confirmation of £20 million of funding for the ORCS in 2021/22 is great news. This funding will allow local authorities to install convenient and cost-effective electric vehicle charging infrastructure for those who rely on on-street parking. This helps to support the fair transition to the increased adoption of low carbon transport.
“We’re therefore encouraging local authorities to access this funding as part of their plans to decarbonise transport and improve local air quality.”
READ MORE: