By 2030, the UK wants 5 times more EV chargers than the number of petrol pumps it has today
There are around 30,000 EV chargers in the UK today. But by 2030, if the government has its way, there will be 10 times as many. It has committed £1.6 billion to its new Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Strategy to make that happen. Once implemented, there will be 5 times as many EV chargers as there are fuel pumps in the UK today, according to a government press release.
Upgrades to the current charging network will focus on fast charging stations along major highways for those traveling long distances — like the “convenience stations” being built up by Shell — but also include plans for more on-street chargers to meet the needs who do not have access to chargers where they live,
An important part of the new policy is the inclusion of mandates that will allow EV drivers to make contactless payments for charging, compare pricing, and use apps to find EV chargers. To address the issue of non-functioning chargers, the regulations will require a 99% reliability rate for any new chargers installed as part of this new program. The UK will ban the sale of new vehicles powered by fossil fuels by 2030, so a more expansive charging network will be vital to making that happen.
In a statement, 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 added,
“No matter where you live — be that a city center 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 decarbonizing 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, revolutionizing our charging network and putting the consumer first.”
The private sector plays a key role in helping the country make the switch to electric and the UK’s most-used charging network company, BP pulse, announced its own plans to spend £1 billion on developing charging infrastructure in the UK, supporting hundreds of new jobs.
Along with the environmental benefits of EVs, the government touted the plan as a way to create jobs and reduce the UK’s dependency on foreign sources of energy and oil. As is the case elsewhere, prices of gas and home energy have increased dramatically since Russia invaded Ukraine last month.