Electric-vehicle chargepoint funding doubled

A recent announcement by the Department for Transport has revealed that the amount of funding that is reserved for the installation of electric-vehicle chargepoints in Britain is going to be doubled, ensuring the installation of a further 3,600 chargepoints and helping to achieve Britain’s target of net zero carbon emissions by 2050.

In this announcement, the Transport Secretary, Grant Shapps, announced that electric-vehicle chargepoint funding would double to £10M for the installation of further chargepoints across the country as well as for investment into digital monitoring of chargepoints so as to allow electric-vehicle owners to know whether a chargepoint is occupied.

It is hoped that the data which will be compiled from these digital monitoring services will be incorporated into satellite navigation technology and will allow electric-vehicle users the knowledge of where chargepoints are located, whether they are in use, and whether they are in working order.

Secretary Shapps stated: “We want to make electric cars the new normal, and ensuring drivers have convenient places to charge is key to that.

“By doubling funding again for chargepoints on streets where people live and opening up data, we are helping drivers easily locate and use affordable, reliable chargepoints whether at home or on the road.”

As of now, the Government has installed approximately 17,000 electric-vehicle chargepoints and has accumulated the largest electric-vehicle infrastructure network in Europe. However, many chargepoints are only located in and around large urban areas such as London, Manchester, and Glasgow, making this renewed pledge all the more important to encourage nationwide conversion to electric-vehicles.

The Future of Transport Minister, George Freeman added: “The new government is accelerating UK leadership in digitalisation and decarbonisation through our future of transport strategy.

“Supporting the smart use of open data for new apps to help passengers and drivers plan journeys, and to reduce congestion and pollution, is key.

“Comprehensive chargepoint data is crucial for mapping charging hotspots and notspots for consumers, to help to drive forward the electric vehicle revolution.

“We urge local councils to make use of the funding available to ensure their residents feel the benefits of cleaner transport.”

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