Report slams charging points

The growth in electric car use could be stalled by the public charging network, according to a new report.

A study for motoring research charity the RAC Foundation found that without widespread, reliable and easyto-use charging points, the mass market appeal of ultra-green vehicles may be limited.

It could also hamper the Government’s plan to ban the sale of conventional petrol and diesel cars by 2040, the research warned.

The report by automotive consultant Harold Dermott follows the announcement on Tuesday that Sir James Dyson is investing £2 billion into the development of an electric vehicle set to be launched in 2020.

Mr Dermott found the Department for Transport has encouraged quantity rather than quality in charge points, resulting in a network that is “unattractive to use and is unsuitable for encouraging the next wave of EV (electric vehicle) customers”.

More than nine out of 10 (93%) EV owners use public charge points but as of June 13% were out of action at any one time, he said.

RAC Foundation director Steve Gooding said: “Stepchanges in vehicle technology must be matched by equally big strides in our recharging infrastructure.

“With plug-in electric cars you need to find the right charger at the right location with the right tariff scheme.”