Dear Constituent,
Thank you for contacting me about Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Points.
EVs will play a crucial role in helping the UK to reach net zero carbon emissions by 2050. By 2035, the sale of new petrol and diesel cars and vans will be phased out and by 2040, all new cars and vans must be zero emission at the tailpipe. The Government also intends to install 300,000 public EV charge points by 2030 – equivalent to almost 5 times the number of fuel pumps on our roads today.
Locally, I am pleased that in 2022 CBC was awarded £360,000 by the Government’s OnStreet Residential Charge Point Scheme which enabled them to install 88 EV charge points across Central Bedfordshire including in Potton and Biggleswade.
Additionally, I am pleased that CBC has been able to secure £1,761,000 through the Government’s Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (LEVI) fund which allows them to plan and deliver local, low-power charging infrastructure for residential use across Central Bedfordshire.
I welcome that the government offers grant funding through the Workplace Charging Scheme to help eligible businesses, charities and public sector organisations install charge points at their premises. Additionally, in March 2024, the government announced a new grant scheme for households with on-street parking. This provides a discount on the purchase and installation of a charge point where the resident has Local Authority approval to install a cross-pavement charging solution.
To reach the Government’s aim of installing 300,000 public EV charge points, this will require a significant increase in infrastructure. The Government has provided financial support for this through the following:
- Plug-in Car Grant: Since 2011, over £1.4 billion has been provided, supporting nearly half a million clean vehicle purchases. The grant is now focused on plug-in taxis, motorcycles, vans, trucks, and wheelchair-accessible vehicles with £300 million allocated.
- Investment in Infrastructure: A £3.5 billion investment supports the automotive sector and consumers. This includes:
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- £1 billion for vehicle electrification and supply chains.
- £620 million for EV grants and targeted infrastructure.
- £275 million for home, workplace, and on-street charge points.
- £381 million through the Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure scheme.
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- Rapid Charging Fund: £950 million is allocated to ensure every motorway service area in England has charging points, with 96% coverage achieved by November 2023.
- Building Regulations: New homes and non-residential buildings must include charge point infrastructure to support the growing number of EVs.
- Zero Emissions Vehicle (ZEV) Mandate: This mandate sets targets for ZEV sales, requiring 80% of new cars and 70% of new vans to be zero emission by 2030, increasing to 100% by 2035.
- Local Authority Support: As referenced above, the Government is funding local authorities to enhance local charging infrastructure, ensuring broad accessibility.
- Smart Charging: Regulations require new private charge points to be smart, promoting off-peak charging to alleviate electricity system pressures and reduce costs.
- Consumer Experience Enhancements:
- The Public Charge Point Regulations 2023 ensure easy location, payment, and reliability of public charge points.
- Mandated contactless payment methods for new charge points enhance accessibility.
- Private and Public Sector Collaboration: More than 59,000 public charging devices have been installed, including over 11,000 rapid chargers, with continued growth supported by government and private sector investments.
These comprehensive measures are designed to support the UK’s transition to zero-emission vehicles.
Thank you again for getting in contact.
Sincerely,
Richard Fuller