Auto Express

UK’s new electric car charging scheme promises 300,000 public chargers by 2030


The Department of Transport unveiled the Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Plan to accelerate its rollout public fee points because the Electric Carincluding a £450m fund that local authorities can use to expand their collection point offering in their area.

The Local Government Fund, along with the £950m Quick Charge Fund supporting the deployment of 6,000 high-capacity chargers on the motorway network, are all elements of the previously announced government investment package totaling 6,000 high-capacity chargers. worth 1.6 billion pounds.

That means motorists will have access to around 300,000 public chargers by 2030, the DfT claims, a figure five times the number of fuel pumps at UK petrol stations.

In a statement announcing its plans, the DfT said the government’s aim was to expand the UK’s toll network so that it was strong, fair and nationwide.

“No matter where you live – be it the city center or the countryside, the north, south, east or west of the country, we are powering the converter to electricity and making sure no one is left out. back in the process,” said Transport Secretary Grant Shapps.

As part of the new scheme, the DfT has also announced that it will make it mandatory for charging point operators to provide real-time data on their charging points and prices, as well as accept contactless payments. and meets the 99% reliability standard.

There are no national guidelines for charger deployment

However, there is no national direction on how to roll out the rollout, with the DfT leaving local governments to develop individual schemes. As a result, the Engine Manufacturers Association has continued to call for a nationally coordinated infrastructure campaign that includes binding targets that should be aligned with the goals the government has set for automakers to stop producing internal combustion engine cars. “If industry and consumers are certain they need to invest, commensurate and binding targets must be set for infrastructure delivery,” said SMMT CEO Mike Hawes. “Deploying nationally and at lightning speed, this expansion will give motorists confidence that they will be able to recharge as easily as they fill up with gas, wherever they are.”

In line with the government’s strategy, only committed to providing an online ‘knowledge hub’ that lays out all of its current guidelines to support local government installations. The DfT is also setting aside up to £50m in a new £450m Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (LEVI) fund for councils to hire staff to help with strategy and planning. The rest of the money will be spent on ‘projects like EV hubs and innovative street charging, so those without a driveway won’t miss out on cleaner transport,’ the DfT said. .

This strategy has been cautiously welcomed by AA. Spokesman Edmund King said: “The government seems to recognize that ease of use, reliability, slow rollout for those without home charging and improved highway charging, is everything. necessary things. “We want to see urgent action in all of these areas and we also call for a greater focus on toll solutions in rural locations, improving the customer experience in terms of safety in toll booths in quiet, dark and accessible areas for drivers with disabilities. ”

SMMT calls on government leaders to collect fees

Just a day before the announcement of the DfT’s charging infrastructure, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) called for a “right to a common charge” when the public toll rate is tram halved in the previous 12 months. There is now one point for every 32 plug-in vehicles, compared with one for every 16 by 2021.

Mike Hawes, chief executive officer of SMMT, said there is now more focus on “charge worries” than scope worries, as UK electric car charging infrastructure struggled to keep up with strong EV sales.

Hawes has asked the government to “invest more in standard public charging”, focusing more on “charging on the road” for those who cannot charge their cars at home. He said that if the UK is to meet its targets for 2030 and beyond, motorists need to have “the right charger, in the right place, ahead of time.”

While one in 20 cars registered so far is electric – up from 1,700 in 2011 – the SMMT suggests there could be as many as 9.3 million EVs on the roads of the United Kingdom by the end of the decade. A number that will almost double to 18.4 million by 2035.

Hawes and his team wanted to see the disproportionate ratio between cars and chargers addressed through a coordinated nationwide infrastructure campaign. They say binding targets are required for infrastructure deployments, which would align with goals being applied to the car industry to accelerate the EV transition. However, the DfT is going a different route.

Fleet and corporate vehicle sales fuel EV boom

In a statement at the SMMT Electrified 2022 conference in London, which aims to bring together industry and government stakeholders to accelerate the transition to net zero, the organization also emphasized that car drivers privately buys only a third of the new plug-in models sold in 2021. , with the majority being drivers of vehicle fleets and companies.

Businesses see big tax benefits, while incentives for private drivers to switch to electric vehicles are being withdrawn. As a result – and although demand outstrips supply – the SMMT says electric vehicle adoption in the UK is lagging behind some European countries.

Hawes said: “The UK automotive industry invested massively (£10.8 billion in electric vehicle and battery production) in the UK’s first electric decade. “As we enter the second phase, the stakes will be higher, but the trust producers alone will not drive the market.”

Click here to see our list of the best electric cars on sale right now



Source link

news7f

News7F: Update the world's latest breaking news online of the day, breaking news, politics, society today, international mainstream news .Updated news 24/7: Entertainment, Sports...at the World everyday world. Hot news, images, video clips that are updated quickly and reliably

Related Articles

Back to top button