LONDON (Parliament Politics Magazine) – The government has stated that by the end of the decade, 300,000 public charging stations will be made available to electric vehicle owners.
The Department for Transport says £500 million will be committed to meet the aim, which is a 10-fold increase over the current 30,000 public charging sites across the UK.
The 2030 deadline coincides with the government’s goal of banning the sale of new diesel and petrol vehicles by 2050, as motorists are encouraged to adopt electric vehicles to assist the UK achieve net zero emissions by 2050.
When the new charge points are installed, the focus will be on assisting drivers who do not have access to off-street parking.
The strategy, which is part of the government’s larger Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Strategy, also emphasises the importance of having rapid charging stations available for longer travels.
As part of a £950 million commitment, at least 6,000 rapid charging outlets will be put on England’s highways by 2035.
To promote a positive driving experience, each of them will need to have a 99 percent reliability rate.
Operators will also be required to give real-time data to users, allowing them to monitor the status of their devices, compare costs, and make contactless payments.
Rural communities have vowed that they will not be left out.
Grant Shapps, the Transport Secretary, has promised that public charging stations will be installed in all locations, not just urban areas.
“We’re powering up the changeover to electric and ensuring no one is left behind in the process, whether you live in a metropolitan centre or a rural village, in the north, south, east, or west of the country,” he said.
As the UK attempts to wean itself from Russian gas and oil following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, PM Boris Johnson said the idea will be “another way we can drive down our dependence on external energy supplies.”
Prices at the pump in the UK have risen as a result of the war and subsequent sanctions imposed on Russia, potentially increasing the appeal of electric vehicles for many drivers.
“It will also create new high-skilled employment for our automotive and energy sectors, ensuring more sustainable and economical motoring for all,” Mr Johnson continued.
From 7 a.m. on Friday, the transport secretary will be on Sky News Breakfast.
