Parents will be able to charge electric car at school in new scheme
PARENTS will be able to charge electric cars at schools under new government plans.
The plans will allow schools in England to apply for grants to buy and install electric vehicle chargers that can be used by staff and visitors.
Department for Transport (DFT) officials said it could also help schools to generate revenue by making the power outlets available to the public. The DFT said state-funded schools and other learning institutions will have access to a grant providing up to 75 per cent of the cost to install chargers, with funding available for up to £2,500 per socket, up from a previous £350 limit.
The proposals are part of the Government’s Plan for Drivers which is seeking to accelerate the rollout of electric vehicle (EV) chargers as more drivers make the switch from petrol and diesel cars.
To qualify through the Workplace Charging Scheme, schools, colleges and nurseries must have dedicated offstreet parking facilities.
Independent schools can apply through the same scheme and through the electric vehicle infrastructure grant for small and medium enterprises.
Ahead of making the announcement in Nottinghamshire today, transport minister Anthony Browne said: “We are getting on with delivering our Plan for Drivers, and this latest set of measures will mean electric vehicle owners everywhere benefit from easier and more convenient access to charge points.
“This Government has already spent over £2billion to ensure a smooth switch to electric vehicles, and we are committed to supporting drivers as we transition towards net zero in a proportionate way that doesn’t burden working people.”
Baroness Barran, a Department for Education minister, said: “This is an exciting opportunity for schools across England to become part of an ongoing move towards a greener public sector.
“Schools engaging with this grant will be supporting the development of green infrastructure, helping to improve their local environments.
“The expansion of this grant supports our ambition to improve the sustainability of our schools in the ongoing move towards net zero.”
According to DFT figures, more than 53,000 public points have been installed across the UK, with about 770,000 fully battery-electric vehicles on UK roads.
Ministers are considering a number of ways to speed up car charger installation across the country. One proposal due for consultation is to change the rules to allow EV charge point operators the right to carry out street works using a permit rather than a licence.
Permits can be issued faster, taking days to process instead of months, and are significantly cheaper to obtain than licences, the DFT said.
To provide more flexibility to individuals and organisations wanting to install EV charging outlets, the Government also intends to consult on removing a two-metre limitation to allow installations anywhere within an area lawfully used for off-street parking.