The government has announced a £63m investment package for Britain’s electric vehicle infrastructure.
It has pledged to drive down charging costs via a pioneering £25m cross-pavement technology scheme for local authorities which it says will expand access to cheaper at-home charging rates.
This will allow cables to run safely beneath pavements, connecting homes directly to parked vehicles, enabling more families to tap into cheaper domestic electricity rates for as little as 2 pence per mile – even if they don’t have a driveway.
The UK now has 82,000 public chargepoints, with a further 100,000 expected to be installed as a result of the government’s Local EV Infrastructure Fund and £6bn of private investment committed to 2030.
The NHS in England is also receiving a major sustainability upgrade with an £8m fund to power the electrification of ambulances and medical fleets across over 200 NHS sites, saving millions in costs which can be invested into patient care.
“We are making it easier and cheaper to own an electric vehicle. We know access to charging is a barrier for people thinking of making the switch, so we are tackling that head on so that everyone – whether or not they have a driveway – can access the benefits of going electric,” said Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander.
“Our investment is about more than just charging points – it’s about charging up Britain’s economy.”
The government has also pledged to modernise EV charging signage on major roads. EV charging hubs have more than doubled since the beginning of 2023 and immediate changes will allow larger EV charging hubs to be signposted from major A-roads for the first time.
It is also launching a major new grant scheme to help businesses install charging points at depots nationwide, supporting the nation’s heavy goods vehicles, vans and coach drivers in the transition to zero emissions.
Edmund King, AA president, said: “There are more public chargers than people realise, but they are often hidden in plain sight. Increasing signs for the public network is vital to help the EV transition as it will create confidence for drivers both now and in the future.
“It is great to see more support for those without off-street parking so that they can also benefit from the EV revolution.”
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