Government commits to tenfold expansion in EV chargepoints by 2030

£1.6bn has been committed by the government to expand the UK electric vehicle (EV) charging network, with around 300,000 public chargers expected to be available by 2030.

This commitment will see almost five times as many EV chargepoints on roads as the number of fuel pumps by 2030.

Under the Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Strategy, charging is expected to become easier and cheaper than refuelling a petrol or diesel car, while new legal requirements on operators will see drivers of EVs able to pay by contactless, compare charging prices and find nearby chargepoints via apps.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said: ‘We’re powering ahead with plans to help British people go electric, with our expanding charging network making journeys easier right across the country.

‘Clean transport isn’t just better for the environment, but is another way we can drive down our dependence on external energy supplies. It will also create new high-skilled jobs for our automotive and energy sectors and ultimately secure more sustainable and affordable motoring for all.’

The funding includes a £450m Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (LEVI) Fund which will boost projects such as EV hubs and on-street charging, so that those without driveways can access cleaner transport.

A pilot scheme for the LEVI fund launching today will see local authorities bid for a share of £10 million in funding, allowing selected areas to work with industry and boost public charging opportunities.

LEVI funding also includes up to £50 million to fund staff to work on local challenges and public chargepoint planning – ensuring that any development complements all other zero emission forms of travel, such as walking and cycling.

The existing £950m Rapid Charging Fund will also support the rollout of at least 6,000 high powered super-fast chargepoints across England’s motorways by 2035.

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said: ‘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.  

‘The scale of the climate challenge ahead of us all is well-known, and decarbonising transport is at the very heart of our agenda. That’s why we’re ensuring the country is EV-fit for future generations by the end of this decade, revolutionising our charging network and putting the consumer first.’

Photo by CHUTTERSNAP