The Government has claimed it is ‘on target’ to install 300,000 public electric vehicle (EV) charge points by 2030 after announcing that the number currently available has passed 50,000.
However, it has not provided a basis for this claim. With around 15,000 charge points added in the last year, the current rate would see just over 90,000 added in the next six years, taking total to around 150,000.
The DfT said the new figures, produced using data supplied by Zapmap, shows there are 52,602 public chargepoints, which is 44% more than this time last year.
Technology and decarbonisation minister Anthony Browne said: ‘With government and private sector investment, we are backing drivers by expanding our charging network – creating jobs and putting us well on the way to our target of 300,000 public chargepoints by 2030.’
Transport Network asked the DfT what the claim that the country is ‘on target’ to meet the 2030 total was based on and is waiting for a response.
As part of its announcement, the DfT said that it ‘intends’ to consult on ways to make installations cheaper and quicker for chargepoint operators, review the grid connections process, and consult on the expansion of permitted development rights to make installations easier.
It added that the Government’s Connections action plan will overhaul the way projects access the electricity grid and reduce delays.
The DfT said applications for the first round of the £381m Local EV infrastructure fund are currently being assessed, which will deliver tens of thousands more chargepoints and transform the availability of charging for drivers without off-street parking.
The On-street residential chargepoint scheme (ORCS) is also pen to all UK local authorities, the DfT said.
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