League table reveals UK’s electric car charging availability

Local authorities urged to take advantage of electric car funding as 'league table' of charging infrastructure released

League table reveals UK’s electric car charging availability

The Transport Secretary has this week written to local authorities across the country, urging them to take advantage of funding on offer to build up their electric car charging infrastructure and to increase local access to chargepoints for drivers.

This comes as the Department for Transport publishes a ‘league table’ of data illustrating the public electric car charging infrastructure available across the UK and highlighting gaps in provision.

The government is clear that it wants driving an electric vehicle to be convenient for people from all corners of the country, and that local authorities have a key role to play.

The data shows that London is currently leading the electric vehicle infrastructure revolution nationally, with almost 4,000 public electric vehicle charging devices installed in the region.

Scotland has more than 1,500 charging devices, with the North West, South East and South West regions just behind.

In these regions Glasgow City, Manchester and Liverpool cities, and Milton Keynes are amongst the best performing local authorities.

There are now more charging locations than petrol stations, but there are still over 100 local authorities with fewer than 10 public charging devices per 100,000 population.

Figures published this week reveal there are 15,000 charging devices across the country, equating to 22,500 places to charge.

“More charging locations than petrol stations”

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said: “Your postcode should play no part in how easy it is to use an electric car, and I’m determined electric vehicles become the new normal for drivers.

“It’s good news there are now more charging locations than petrol stations, but the clear gaps in provision are disappointing.

“I urge local councils to take advantage of all the government support on offer to help ensure drivers in their area don’t miss out.

“To help increase the provision of charging locations, the government is offering grants for the installation of chargepoints on the street, in work and at home.

“We are also offering grants to lower the upfront cost of these cars so everyone is able to experience the benefits.”

The government also recently announced a £400 million charging infrastructure investment fund, which aims to catalyse private investment in charging infrastructure, and is consulting on requiring chargepoints be built into all new homes with a parking space.

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