GOVERNMENT funding for on-street electric car charging is to be doubled, transport secretary Grant Shapps has announced.
An extra £2.5 million will pay for local authorities to install more than 1,000 additional chargepoints on residential roads.
The chargepoints can be built into existing structures such as lampposts, and are aimed at providing access to charging infrastructure near the homes of people without off-street parking.
The money will support the on-street residential chargepoint scheme, which was launched in 2017.
Sixteen local authorities have previously signed up to the programme and plan to install 1,200 chargepoints this year, according to the DfT.
Data published by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders shows 14,200 pure-electric new cars were bought during the first seven months of the year – up 71 per cent compared with the same period in 2018.
These cars now hold a one per cent share of the new car market.
But industry experts have warned that demand for pure-electric cars will be restricted unless there are significant improvements to the charging infrastructure.
I'm keen to drive electric car use to be normal rather than the exception. BUT… I recognise drivers worry about car charging provision 🔌🔋. So today I've added £2.5m to fund a further 1,200 public car charging points – adding to the 20k chargers currently available 🚘
— Grant Shapps MP (@grantshapps) August 11, 2019
Shapps said: ‘It’s fantastic that there are now more than 20,000 publicly accessible chargepoints and double the number of electric vehicle chargepoints than petrol stations, but we want to do much more.
‘It’s vital that electric vehicle drivers feel confident about the availability of chargepoints near their homes, and that charging an electric car is seen as easy as plugging in a smartphone.
‘That’s why we are now doubling the funding available for local authorities to continue building the infrastructure we need to super-charge the zero emission revolution right across the country.’
AA head of roads policy Jack Cousens said: ‘The success of the UK’s electric vehicle revolution hinges on access to charging infrastructure, and many neighbourhoods so far feel disconnected.
‘This announcement is therefore very welcome news but there is still a long way to go.’
Sue Robinson, director of the National Franchised Dealers Association, said: ‘It is positive to see that the government has announced additional funds for chargepoints on residential streets.
‘Today’s announcement is a step in the right direction, but it is vital that the government continues to invest to improve the charging infrastructure currently available.
‘The findings of our latest consumer attitude survey suggested that access to charging still represents a barrier to buying an electric vehicle for 53 per cent of consumers. The charging process needs to become as straightforward as possible to give consumers the confidence to own an electric car.’
