Mark has asked Transport Ministers what steps they are taking to increase the number of electric recharging stations across the road network
In response, Transport Minister Trudy Harrison said:
"The Government will provide over £1.3 billion over the next four years to support the continued roll-out of chargepoints on motorways and major A roads, in homes and businesses and on-street. The Government is working with the operators of motorway service areas (MSAs) and major A road services to ensure that this charging provision is in place ahead of customer demand. The aim is to help support early adoption of electric vehicles and remove range anxiety concerns for drivers on long journey.
"By 2023, we aim to have at least six high powered, open access chargepoints at MSAs in England, with some larger sites having ten to twelve. By 2035, we expect the number to increase to around 6,000 high powered chargers across the network. To ensure the private sector can continue to expand the charging network at pace in the 2020s, the Government will invest £950 million through the Rapid Charging Fund to future-proof grid capacity along the Strategic Road Network to prepare for uptake of zero emission cars and vans ahead of need.
"Local authorities can already apply to the £20 million On-Street Residential Charging Scheme. Government also committed at Spending Review 2020 to a new Local EV Infrastructure Fund which will facilitate the rollout of larger-scale chargepoint infrastructure projects across England for local areas. Details of how local EV charging will be supported will be announced in due course and the fund is due to launch in Spring 2022.
"Alongside funding support, Government’s forthcoming electric vehicle Infrastructure Strategy will define our vision for the continued roll-out of a world-leading charging infrastructure network across the UK. The strategy will focus on how we will unlock the chargepoint rollout needed to enable the transition from early adoption to mass market uptake of electric vehicles. We will set out our next steps to address barriers to private investment, and level up charge point provision."
