A £10m investment in electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure was announced today by the Government.
As sales of electrically powered cars continue to climb – with more cars sold by October in 2016 than in the whole of 2015 – the next hurdle to overcome is that of a sub-standard network of charging facilities.
To address the shortfall, the £10m investment will be split into two distinct areas: £7.5m for workplace chargepoints and £2.5m for bolstering on-street residential charging.
This will mean far more places will become available to top up your pure electric or plug-in hybrid’s batteries, and aims to further alleviate the range anxiety that some early adopters of EVs suffered.
Poppy Welch, head of the government’s Go Ultra Low scheme, said: “The £10 million government investment in workplace and residential chargepoints is sure to boost motorists’ confidence in electric cars and vans while accelerating uptake rates. While more than 90% of electric car charging takes place at home, this announcement gives drivers extra options and addresses a perceived lack of accessible chargepoints.”
This move comes as part of a £35m investment in ultra-low-emissions vehicles, which also includes the Plug-in Car Grant (which has been extended to 2018) that offers up to £4,500 towards the cost of a new plug-in car.
Transport Minister John Hayes said: “The number of ultra-low-emission vehicles on our roads are at record levels and we are committing £35 million to help install new chargepoints and offer new grants as we aim for nearly all cars and vans on our roads to be zero emission by 2050.”
