Government announces plans for increased EV chargepoints
Released On 8th Feb 2024
New measures to support electric vehicle drivers from the Plan for Drivers have come into effect.
The measures include grants for schools, money for councils and new proposals to increase the number of charge points.
The first capital payments from the Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (LEVI) Fund have be approved to three local authorities and two London boroughs. The funding will support the installation of thousands of new chargers.
A consultation has also been launched to look at ways to speed up chargepoint installation.
The proposals in the consultation would give EV chargepoint operators the right to carry out street works using a permit instead of a licence.
Permits can be issued more quickly and are cheaper to obtain than licences, reducing costs for operators and speeding up the chargepoint rollout for drivers.
Technology and decarbonisation minister, Anthony Browne, said: "We’re getting on with delivering our Plan for Drivers, and this latest set of measures will mean EV owners everywhere benefit from easier and more convenient access to chargepoints.
"This government has already spent over £2 billion to ensure a smooth switch to EVs, and we’re committed to supporting drivers as we transition towards net zero in a proportionate way that doesn’t burden working people."
Councillor Neil Clarke MBE, cabinet member for transport and environment at Nottinghamshire County Council, said: "Through initiatives like the Electric Vehicle Cable Channel Pilot Programme and improving local electric vehicle infrastructure, we’re working hard to help residents without off-street parking, along with road users in Nottinghamshire, to charge their electric vehicles. "We are continuing with our ambition to make Nottinghamshire healthier, more prosperous, and greener. Initiatives like this are a step closer to achieving these ambitions.
"As a county, we must do all that we can to protect the environment, and that’s why we welcome this continued government support, which helps us to roll out electric vehicle infrastructure more widely across Nottinghamshire."
There is a grant, part of Workplace Charging Scheme, which is available for state-funded schools, colleges, nurseries and academies to boost the chargepoint facilities for staff and visitors.
It is hoped the chargepoints could also help schools to generate revenue by making their chargepoints available to the public.
Minister for the School System and Student Finance at the Department for Education, Baroness Barran, said: "This is an exciting opportunity for schools across the UK to become part of an ongoing move towards a greener public sector. Schools engaging with this grant will be supporting the development of green infrastructure, helping to improve their local environments.
"Developing a greener education estate is a key element of our sustainability and climate change strategy. The expansion of this grant supports our ambition to improve the sustainability of our schools in the ongoing move towards net zero."
