Concern at slow pace from councils to install on-street car chargers

NEW RESEARCH reveals that councils are planning to install an average of only 35 on-street electric vehicle (EV) chargers between now and 2025.

The research commissioned by energy company Centrica under a Freedom of Information request to more than 400 councils, released today, shows that there are 7,682 on-street chargers currently installed across the UK and only a further 9,317 are planned to be rolled out over the next four years.

This leaves drivers without a driveway and those who have no access to home charging “a long way behind in the race to switch to EVs” in time for the 2030 ban on sales of new petrol and diesel models, according to Centrica.

York, however, is sixth in a rundown of council areas set to install the most on-street chargers before the end of 2025. According to the research, some 97.8 onstreet chargers per 100,000 people are due to be installed, with 23 in place at the moment.

The sustainable transport editor at Centrica, Amanda Stretton, said: “The latest figures released today demonstrate the need for all UK councils to play their part in helping to achieve the 2030 ban. Whilst it’s great news that the Government are providing initiatives to make the transition more affordable, cost isn’t the only barrier. With half of drivers attributing lack of chargers as the main reason preventing them from purchasing an EV, it’s unfair that those without a driveway risk getting left behind.

“Charging infrastructure and energy systems will need be upgraded to cope with the demand and support drivers.”

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps announced in January 2020 that Government funding will be doubled to £10m for the installation of charge points on residential streets.

The Government said at the time that this could fund up to another 3,600 charging points across the country.