Enhancements to EV Infrastructure Announced by the UK Government
The UK government has introduced fresh measures to support the expansion of electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure, aiming to make it easier and more convenient for EV owners to access chargepoints.
These initiatives are part of the government’s “Plan for Drivers,” which focuses on supporting drivers in the transition to electric vehicles.
Image Caption: A typical electric vehicle charging station, representative of the infrastructure being expanded.
One key component of this plan includes new grants for state-funded schools, colleges, nurseries, and academies. These grants will cover up to 75% of the cost of purchasing and installing chargepoints, with a maximum of £2,500 per socket. This boost aims to improve facilities for staff and visitors, and schools may even generate revenue by offering public access to their chargepoints.
Furthermore, the government is distributing £381 million through the Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (LEVI) Fund to local authorities across the UK. The initial financial aid packages for charging projects have been authorized for a number of local authorities, which will lead to the installation of thousands of new chargers.
To support local authorities, the government is also launching an electric vehicle infrastructure (EVI) training course for their officers. This training will be available to all local authorities from mid-March following a successful test phase.
The actions taken in this second set of measures build upon the Plan for Drivers and are in line with the nation’s climate goals.
The government is launching a consultation to look at ways to speed up chargepoint installation across the country. The proposals would give EV chargepoint operators the right to use a permit instead of a licence to carry out street works. Permits are faster to obtain and more affordable than licenses.
Earlier this year the UK’s plan to achieve zero emission vehicles by 2035 came into effect. The zero emission vehicle (ZEV) mandate requires 80% of new cars and 70% of new vans sold in Great Britain to be zero emission by 2030.
The government also offers support to businesses through the Workplace charging scheme (WCS), as well as individuals in flats and rented accommodation through the Electric vehicle chargepoint grant.
