The UK’s network of public electric car chargers will rise from 30,000 to 300,000 by 2030, according to the Department for Transport (DfT).
Electric car owners will benefit from the 10-fold increase in charging points as some £500 million is invested in the technology.
It’s part of the Government’s new Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Strategy, which looks at improving charging accessibility as EV ownership continues to rise. Support will be particularly focused on helping electric car owners who don’t have access to off-street parking, as well as on fast charging to make longer journeys easier.
An existing Rapid Charging Fund of £950 million will help to support the installation of at least 6,000 rapid charge points across England’s motorways by 2035.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson said: “We’re powering ahead with plans to help British people go electric, with our expanding charging network making journeys easier right across the country.
“Clean transport isn’t just better for the environment, but is another way we can drive down our dependence on external energy supplies.
“It will also create new high-skilled jobs for our automotive and energy sectors and ultimately secure more sustainable and affordable motoring for all.”
New standards and legislation are also being implemented to help improve the overall experience of using public chargers. Operators will be required to provide real-time data which will allow owners to check a device’s status as well as key information such as the price of charging.
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said: “No matter where you live – be that a city centre or rural village, the north, south, east or west of the country, we’re powering up the switch to electric and ensuring no-one gets left behind in the process.
“The scale of the climate challenge ahead of us all is well known, and decarbonising transport is at the very heart of our agenda.
“That’s why we’re ensuring the country is EV-fit for future generations by the end of this decade, revolutionising our charging network and putting the consumer first.”
