The UK is to get a £381m boost in EV infrastructure to fund initiatives for charge point expansion and additional training to help the growth of Electric Vehicles (EVs).
The UK’s transition to electric vehicles (EVs) gained significant momentum with the government’s latest funding initiative aimed at expanding the EV chargepoint network across the country.
According to an announcement from the Department for Transport and the Office for Zero Emission Vehicles, an impressive £381 million Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (LEVI) fund is being deployed to facilitate the switch from petrol and diesel cars to electric options for British drivers.
Funding Rollout Across England
This initiative sees 44 additional councils, from Torbay to Tees Valley, receiving over £185 million to enhance local chargepoint infrastructure. Following the initial approval of five local authority applications in February, this significant financial boost aims to support the installation of thousands of charge points to make EV charging more accessible and convenient. Further applications for the second round of LEVI funding will open in April, promising continued expansion of the chargepoint network.
Supporting EV Drivers Without Driveways
In an innovative move to make EV ownership more feasible, the government has expanded the electric vehicle chargepoint grant to include households without driveways or dedicated parking spaces.
A £350 grant accessible to those with adequate street parking, covers up to 75% of the chargepoint purchase and installation cost, marking a significant step towards making EVs a more practical option for a much wider set of drivers who may see such challenges as too big a hurdle.
Training and Collaboration to Accelerate Chargepoint Delivery
A government-funded electric vehicle infrastructure training course is also set to launch. The course will cover crucial topics from technology to procurement.
The establishment of the Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Forum, chaired by ministers and AA President Edmund King, aims to tackle barriers and accelerate chargepoint delivery through collaboration between government and industry.
Industry and Public Response
Edmund King OBE, AA president, stressed the importance of addressing public concerns over the availability of charging points to boost confidence in EV adoption. He expressed pride in co-chairing the Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Forum, emphasising its role in facilitating the transition to zero-emission vehicles and contributing to the UK’s net zero ambitions.
Rapid Growth in EV Adoption and Chargepoint Installation
The move comes as electric vehicles represent over 16% of the new UK car market in 2023, with a remarkable 47% increase in public charge points installed across the UK compared to the previous year. This growth is supported by the introduction of the zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) mandate, setting ambitious targets for EV sales in Great Britain by 2030 and 2035.
Source: Department for Transport, Office for Zero Emission Vehicles
