Farmers’ union supports rollout of EV chargers in rural areas
ELECTRIC vehicle charging points are to be installed on farms to help landowners capitalise on the rollout of green power.
A new partnership between the National Farmers Union (NFU) and Instavolt, a vehicle charging company, plans to put charging hubs on unused land that could generate substantial additional income.
Farms with retail outlets would benefit from the extra footfall created by the charging points, says the NFU.
Most of the 27,000 public charging devices available in the UK are in urban areas but the NFU hopes this scheme will help increase electric vehicle ownership in rural communities.
The Government last year announced a ban on the selling of new cars and vans powered wholly by petrol and diesel from 2030.
Hybrids can still be sold, but they must be capable of travelling a substantial distance on electric power alone – and by 2035 even those will be outlawed.
The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders has estimated that the UK will need 1.9million charging points by 2030 and that they will cost some
£17.6billion. Adrian Keen, Instavolt’s chief executive, said: “One of the exceptional benefits for landowners is the additional income which comes from installing rapid chargers on their land.
“Instavolt, working in tandem with the NFU, is able to install charging hubs, which at busy locations can generate a substantial six-figure income for landowners over a 15-20 year term. We are excited to see what prospects the partnership can bring.
“Early engagement suggests farm shops and roadside land are suitable locations in terms of connection, access and amenities for drivers.”
Tim Crocker, energy managing director of the NFU, said that, in order to meet net-zero targets, research suggested that the UK will have to install 40 to 50 new electric chargers every day for over the next decade.
He added: “At present, there are just over 27,200 chargers but the Competition and Markets Authority reported in summer 2021 that 1 in 25 of those aren’t working and for rapid chargers that number is even higher, at one in 10.
“Our aim is to help facilitate the many infrastructure changes necessary to meet net zero and to provide substantial diversification opportunities to farmers across the UK.”