UK funding for on-street EV chargepoints doubled by government

The Department for Transport (DfT) in the UK has announced that government funding will be doubled to £10 million for the installation of chargepoints for electric vehicles (EV) on residential streets. This could reportedly fund up to another 3,600 chargepoints across the country, on top of the current 24,000 that are currently publicly available, with the goal to make charging at home and overnight easier for those without an off-street parking space.

The government is also reportedly looking at how to make information about all public chargepoints available in a standard open format for the first time, including locations and power ratings. The DfT will consider how real-time information could be published, showing whether chargepoints are in working order and currently in use, which could then be used by developers and incorporated into navigation systems and route mapping apps.

Transport Secretary, Grant Shapps, said: “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.

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.”