Aftermarket May 2022

Above: Osprey’s Croydon charging hub at Purley Cross Retail Park T he government has confirmed its plan to expand the UK’s EV charging network, with a goal of 300,000 public EV chargepoints by 2030, which works out at five times the number of fuel pumps currently in the UK. Announced via the Electric Vehicle Charging Strategy, the target will be backed up by £1.6 billion of government funding. £500 million will be dedicated to public chargepoints, which includes a £450 million Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (LEVI) fund, intended to support the roll-out of EV hubs and on-street charging for those without driveways. A pilot scheme for the LEVI fund enables local authorities to compete for a portion of £10 million of funding. The LEVI funding also includes up to £50 million for staff to work on local chargepoint planning. Providers will also be legally required to offer contactless payment, and provide real- time data on pricing. Meanwhile, the £950 million Rapid Charging Fund, which was already in place, will fund up to 6,000 super-fast chargepoints across England’s motorways by 2035. Operators are already set to install an additional 15,000 rapid chargepoints across England’s road network and over 100,000 on-street chargepoints by 2025. Sustainable Prime Minister Boris Johnson said: “We’re powering ahead with plans to help British people go electric, with our expanding charging network making journeys easier right across the country. Clean transport isn’t just better for the environment, but is another way we can drive down our dependence on external energy supplies. It will also create new high-skilled jobs for our automotive and energy sectors and ultimately secure more sustainable and affordable motoring for all.” Transport Secretary Grant Shapps observed: “No matter where you live, be that a city centre or rural village, the north, south, east or west of the country, we’re powering up the switch to electric and ensuring no one gets left behind in the process. “The scale of the climate challenge ahead of us all is well known and decarbonising transport is at the very heart of our agenda. That’s why we’re ensuring the country is EV-fit for future generations by the end of this decade, revolutionising our charging network and putting the consumer first.” Certainty In response to the government’s infrastructure strategy, SMMT Chief Executive Mike Hawes said: “The EV infrastructure strategy points in the right direction, addressing problems with the current customer charging experience and setting out a nationally co-ordinated, locally delivered plan which aims to build ahead of need. The UK already has an enviable and ever-growing rapid charging network, so focus must be given to expanding 8 AFTERMARKET MAY 2022 BIG ISSUE www.aftermarketonline.net 300,000 EV CHARGEPOINTS BY 2030 The Electric Vehicle Charging Strategy puts financial backing and a roadmap in place for infrastructure roll-out, but will it be enough?