Concerns Raised Over UK Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure Rollout
Parliamentary committee highlights delays, accessibility issues, and regional disparities in electric vehicle charging points.
The rollout of electric vehicle (EV) chargers across the United Kingdom has been deemed 'patchy' and running behind schedule, according to a report from the parliamentary Public Accounts Committee (PAC).
The report emphasized that the availability of charging points necessary to facilitate a transition to EVs is still insufficient, particularly along major roadways in the country.
The PAC warned that the current state of EV charging infrastructure could exacerbate inequalities, notably impacting disabled drivers and those reliant on public charging.
Individuals who cannot charge at home, such as residents of apartments or houses without off-street parking, face higher costs associated with public chargers, which are subject to a 20% VAT rate compared to 5% for domestic energy supplies.
The report indicated that while the government is working towards a target of 300,000 charging points by 2030, there are significant regional disparities.
Approximately 43% of existing public chargers are concentrated in south-east England and London.
This uneven distribution raises concerns among MPs, who noted that the rollout may neglect the needs of drivers outside these areas.
Particularly alarming is the finding that none of the current charge points in the UK meet the established accessibility standards formulated by the Department for Transport (DfT) in conjunction with the Motability Foundation.
This absence of compliance is discouraging for many disabled drivers from switching to electric vehicles.
Additionally, the report highlighted that one-third of motorway service areas do not meet the DfT's target of having a minimum of six ultra-rapid chargers by 2023.
The PAC also noted significant delays in the government’s initiative to fund local authorities for installing charging points in areas identified as needing them most.
Of the 78 proposed projects, only 10 have been approved for delivery by the October 2024 target, which lags behind a March 2025 deadline.
Geoffrey Clifton-Brown, chair of the PAC, stressed the importance of addressing these delays to ensure equitable access to EV charging infrastructure.
He remarked on the necessity for drivers to have confidence in using EVs without the fear of running out of charge.
The report also pointed to data highlighting that a quarter of England’s critical A-roads exhibit a lack of electric car charging availability, indicating significant gaps in the necessary infrastructure for transitioning away from fossil fuels.
In response to the findings, a spokesperson from the DfT defended the government’s progress, stating that there are over 74,000 public chargers currently installed, with additional units being added to the network at an estimated rate of one every 28 minutes.
The spokesperson noted a 53% increase in charging points near the strategic road network and a 45% rise in rural charging infrastructure.
The DfT’s statement also addressed the concerns regarding accessibility, asserting the government's commitment to ensuring that all EV drivers, particularly those with disabilities, have access to adequately equipped charging points.
The department continues to collaborate with industry stakeholders to promote accessible EV charging standards.
The report emphasized that the availability of charging points necessary to facilitate a transition to EVs is still insufficient, particularly along major roadways in the country.
The PAC warned that the current state of EV charging infrastructure could exacerbate inequalities, notably impacting disabled drivers and those reliant on public charging.
Individuals who cannot charge at home, such as residents of apartments or houses without off-street parking, face higher costs associated with public chargers, which are subject to a 20% VAT rate compared to 5% for domestic energy supplies.
The report indicated that while the government is working towards a target of 300,000 charging points by 2030, there are significant regional disparities.
Approximately 43% of existing public chargers are concentrated in south-east England and London.
This uneven distribution raises concerns among MPs, who noted that the rollout may neglect the needs of drivers outside these areas.
Particularly alarming is the finding that none of the current charge points in the UK meet the established accessibility standards formulated by the Department for Transport (DfT) in conjunction with the Motability Foundation.
This absence of compliance is discouraging for many disabled drivers from switching to electric vehicles.
Additionally, the report highlighted that one-third of motorway service areas do not meet the DfT's target of having a minimum of six ultra-rapid chargers by 2023.
The PAC also noted significant delays in the government’s initiative to fund local authorities for installing charging points in areas identified as needing them most.
Of the 78 proposed projects, only 10 have been approved for delivery by the October 2024 target, which lags behind a March 2025 deadline.
Geoffrey Clifton-Brown, chair of the PAC, stressed the importance of addressing these delays to ensure equitable access to EV charging infrastructure.
He remarked on the necessity for drivers to have confidence in using EVs without the fear of running out of charge.
The report also pointed to data highlighting that a quarter of England’s critical A-roads exhibit a lack of electric car charging availability, indicating significant gaps in the necessary infrastructure for transitioning away from fossil fuels.
In response to the findings, a spokesperson from the DfT defended the government’s progress, stating that there are over 74,000 public chargers currently installed, with additional units being added to the network at an estimated rate of one every 28 minutes.
The spokesperson noted a 53% increase in charging points near the strategic road network and a 45% rise in rural charging infrastructure.
The DfT’s statement also addressed the concerns regarding accessibility, asserting the government's commitment to ensuring that all EV drivers, particularly those with disabilities, have access to adequately equipped charging points.
The department continues to collaborate with industry stakeholders to promote accessible EV charging standards.
