The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
Motor trade boss in warning over charging rollout
Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) chief executive Mike Hawes has warned the UK’s charging infrastructure is failing to keep up with electric vehicle (EV) sales.
Mr Hawes said: “The UK Government has set an ambitious target to make Britain the first major market to end the sale of new petrol and diesel cars and vans.
“Manufacturers have invested billions, including more than £10.8 billion in the UK alone over the last decade, to bring more than 140 models of plugin car to market. However, delivering this transition means giving drivers a reliable, accessible and affordable user experience when charging vehicles.
“We need a universal right to charge electric vehicles for all drivers, wherever they live, wherever they travel and whatever their needs.”
Mr Hawes added: “Scotland has better provision of charging points relative to the number of electric vehicles in use, however, throughout the UK infrastructure is failing to keep up with EV sales.
“In 2019 there was one public on-street standard charge point for every eight plug-in cars registered in Scotland. In 2021, this deteriorated to one for every 21 – better than the UK average of one for every 32, but still weaker than several other major EV markets.”
Plans to double the number of public charge points in Scotland are “certainly a step in the right direction”, Mr Hawes said. He continued: “Ultimately though, to give all drivers the confidence to charge as easily as they refuel, wherever they live or work, there needs to be a nationally co-ordinated and locally delivered infrastructure plan that puts the needs of consumers first.”
AA president Edmund King said Scotland was ahead of the game, compared with other parts of the UK when it came to EV charging infrastructure.
Mr King added: “Of course, more needs to be done to fill in the gaps, improve reliability and indeed accessibility for disabled drivers.
“The other issue is that some charge posts are in remote, unlit areas away from shops so can pose safety worries, particularly for lone females.”
But the RAC has warned the UK Government’s massive target of 300,000 public chargers may not be enough.
RAC head of policy Nicholas Lyes said: “With the electric vehicle revolution already under way, it’s vital the UK’s charging infrastructure is fit for purpose and keeps pace. Many EV drivers worry that charging units will be out of order when they arrive to charge their vehicles, so it is vitally important this is addressed.”