Latest news with #FutureofRoads
Yahoo
28-07-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
UK sees 27% YoY growth in EV chargepoints
The UK government has announced that the country's electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure has received a significant boost with the addition of 17,370 new chargepoints over the past year, marking a 27% increase in the network. Future of Roads Minister Lilian Greenwood confirmed this rapid expansion, particularly noting advancements in the north-east, East of England, and the West Midlands, ensuring drivers have access to public chargepoints within a short drive. The surge in chargepoint installations comes alongside the government's announcement of discounts up to £3,750 for new EVs. This incentive is coupled with a £25m investment to facilitate home charging, potentially saving drivers up to £1,500 annually when they switch to electric. The discount scheme is now open to manufacturers and will be available until the 2028 to 2029 financial year. The UK government's commitment to EV adoption includes a £4.5bn investment to reduce the costs and simplify the ownership of EVs. This investment also aims to support British car manufacturers, generate jobs, and drive investment as part of the 'Plan for Change'. Future of Roads Minister, Lilian Greenwood, said: 'Just last week, we announced record discounts to help make EV ownership a reality for thousands more people, alongside making it easier to charge at home so more drivers can run their EV for as little as 2p a mile – that's London to Birmingham for £2.50. 'Today's chargepoint figures show that alongside lowering upfront costs, we're also making fantastic progress towards expanding our charging network across the UK.' The strategy aligns with the government's efforts to support drivers, which include investing £1.6bn in road maintenance and extending the 5p fuel duty freeze until spring 2026, saving motorists an average of £50 to £60 per year. Earlier in the month, the DRIVE35 programme was launched by the government, which is a £2.5bn ($3.37bn) initiative designed to accelerate the UK automotive sector's transition to zero-emission vehicle production. "UK sees 27% YoY growth in EV chargepoints" was originally created and published by Just Auto, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Daily Mirror
14-06-2025
- Automotive
- Daily Mirror
Warning to car owners without driveway as change set to impact two million
The UK government has announced plans that focus on people who don't have access at home In a bid to accelerate the UK's shift towards eco-friendly motoring, millions of drivers without private driveways are being encouraged to brace for significant changes. Officials have unveiled plans to install more than 100,000 new electric vehicle (EV) charging points across England, primarily targeting those who lack access to home charging facilities. The Future of Roads Minister, Lilian Greenwood, travelled to Exeter to mark a major milestone in the rollout, dubbing it a "chargepoint every 29 minutes". This announcement coincides with news that charging firm Believ is investing £300 million to add 30,000 more units – a move hailed by authorities as a means to "support drivers and protect jobs". Ms Greenwood said: "This government is powering up the EV revolution by rolling out a chargepoint every 29 minutes. Our support to roll out over 100,000 local chargepoints in England shows we're committed to making even more progress." The scheme aims to assist the more than two million motorists in England living in terraced houses or flats who struggle to charge their EVs conveniently near their homes. The initiative comes as ministers face mounting pressure to fulfil environmental targets and silence critics who claim that the UK lags behind in developing charging networks. The government is set to reinforce the deployment of electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure with a hefty £381 million Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (LEVI) Fund aimed at supporting local authorities and industry in setting up chargers on residential streets, car parks, and local hubs, reports Devon Live. "This is part of our £4 billion investment to support drivers make the switch, while backing British carmakers through international trade deals – creating jobs, boosting investment and securing our future," Ms Greenwood said. The move comes as critics have long pointed out that one of the main hurdles to EV adoption is the scarcity of convenient and reasonably priced charging options, which leaves many motorists hesitant to abandon their petrol or diesel vehicles. Guy Bartlett, CEO of Believ, said: "It's fantastic to see government and private industry working together to accelerate the EV charging rollout. Collaboratively, we recognise the scale of investment required and the urgency of the need. Confidence in EVs will continue to grow as drivers see more infrastructure going into the ground." Suffolk County Council has proudly become the first local authority to ink a deal with a chargepoint operator under this new initiative, with expectations high for other councils to join the movement soon. Authorities are confident that these steps will not only enhance the charging network but also translate into tangible savings for consumers, citing that charging an EV at home could cost as little as 2p per mile, potentially saving motorists up to £1,110 annually. The affordability of Electric vehicles (EVs) is on the rise, with prices dropping to the point where almost half of the used electric cars on the market are priced below £20,000. Additionally, there are now 29 brand-new models on offer for under £30,000, many of which can cover nearly 300 miles on a single charge, a fact that ministers are keen to stress — it's enough "to get from London to Newcastle on a single charge". To further bolster consumer confidence in EVs, the UK government is proactively targeting trade deals with heavy hitters like the US, India, and the EU. These international agreements aim to safeguard 150,000 jobs within the crucial automotive and steel sectors. This push for enhanced trade relations follows closely behind the recent announcement of a hefty £1 billion investment into a spanking new gigafactory in Sunderland, a move expected to create an impressive 1,000 jobs. These initiatives form part of what ministers have dubbed a widespread "Plan for Change", a strategy aimed not only at elevating the spending power of diligent families across Britain but also at ensuring that the nation meets its ambitious climate change goals.
Scottish Sun
02-06-2025
- Automotive
- Scottish Sun
Major rule change for millions of EV drivers across England – will YOU be affected?
The rule has already come into effect ELECTRIC SHOCK Major rule change for millions of EV drivers across England – will YOU be affected? Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A MAJOR rule change could affect millions of electric vehicle drivers. The rule came into effect on May 29. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 4 A new rule could make it even easier to find EV charging stations Credit: Getty 4 EVs could save drivers £1,100 a year in running costs Credit: Getty 4 The new rule came into effect on May 29 Credit: Getty It is good news for electric vehicle drivers, as the new rule means that drivers and businesses no longer need to submit a planning application before installing public or private EV sockets. It's hoped that it will save both money and time for drivers and the planning committees. Lilian Greenwood, the Future of Roads Minister, announced the news. She said in an announcement: "More drivers will be able to save up to £1,100 a year as the government cuts red tape to make it easier than ever to install electric vehicle chargepoints." This saving is calculated for the comparative running cost of a petrol or diesel model. The minister is hoping that the new system will lead to more public charging points, encouraging drivers to go electric. There are currently an estimated 80,000 charge points in the UK. with one installed every 29 minutes according to the statement. In the last year alone, 18,000 sockets were installed in workplace carparks. Further incentives have been offered through a scheme that entitles those renting or owning a flat with on-street parking to receive £350 off the cost of installing a home charger. Some motorists seemed less than thrilled by the news, sharing their concerns on social media. Japanese giant unveils its new bargain EV with quirky 'bug eye' headlights One person wrote: "There's four houses on my street it's going to be chocker block, my husband wouldn't be able to pull into the drive." Others were skeptical about how successful the scheme will be, as one said: "It will take decades for electric infrastructure not to mention the streets and homes and flats with no access for electric charging points." Another commented: "Why is our government so fixed on forcing us down the ev manufacturers are scaling back on ev now." As more car manufacturers shift towards electric vehicles, the government is hoping Britain will become a leader in the eco-friendly industry. Not only will this help with meeting climate targets, but they hope it will also create more jobs as part of their Plan for Change initiative. The government has already safeguarded 150,000 jobs in the industry through trade deals with the US, India and the EU. A further 1,000 jobs were created by an investment of £1 billion in a Sunderland-based gigafactory - the term for an electric vehicle manufacturing plant. Responding to the new changes, the Operations Director of Osprey Charging Network Lewis Gardiner, said: "This is a hugely welcome and practical change that will make a real difference on the ground. "Removing the need for planning permission for essential electrical infrastructure like substations across the majority of sites will save months of delays, reduce costs and accelerate the delivery of the rapid charging hubs drivers need. "It's the result of months of collaboration between industry and government and we're proud to have played a key role in making it happen." Switching to an electric vehicle can bring a range of benefits for drivers, particularly as the market continues to expand. This includes financial benefits like the running costs being as low as 2p per mile. As the market expands, EV cars are becoming more affordable, with 2 in 5 used EVs now under £20,000 and 29 brand new models for under £30,000. Their engines have also improved, with most new EVs boasting a range of nearly 300 miles on one charge. The new government rule is helping to make it easier than ever to drive an electric vehicle, with the hopes of encouraging more accessible charging stations across the UK.
The Irish Sun
02-06-2025
- Automotive
- The Irish Sun
Major rule change for millions of EV drivers across England – will YOU be affected?
A MAJOR rule change could affect millions of electric vehicle drivers. The rule came into effect on May 29. Advertisement 4 A new rule could make it even easier to find EV charging stations Credit: Getty 4 EVs could save drivers £1,100 a year in running costs Credit: Getty 4 The new rule came into effect on May 29 Credit: Getty It is good news for electric vehicle drivers, as the new rule means that drivers and businesses no longer need to submit a planning application before installing public or private EV sockets. It's hoped that it will save both Lilian Greenwood, the Future of Roads Minister, announced the news. She said in an Advertisement Read more Motors This saving is calculated for the comparative running cost of a petrol or diesel model. The minister is hoping that the There are currently an estimated 80,000 charge points in the UK. with one installed every 29 minutes according to the statement. In the last year alone, 18,000 sockets were installed in workplace carparks. Advertisement Most read in Motors Breaking Some motorists seemed less than thrilled by the news, sharing their concerns on social media. Japanese giant unveils its new bargain EV with quirky 'bug eye' headlights One person wrote: "There's four houses on my street it's going to be chocker block, my husband wouldn't be able to pull into the drive." Others were skeptical about how successful the scheme will be, as one said: "It will take decades for electric infrastructure not to mention the streets and homes and flats with no access for electric charging points." Advertisement Another commented: "Why is our government so fixed on forcing us down the ev manufacturers are scaling back on ev now." As more car manufacturers shift towards Not only will this help with meeting climate targets, but they hope it will also create more jobs as part of their Plan for Change initiative. The government has already safeguarded 150,000 jobs in the industry through trade deals with the US, India and the EU. Advertisement A further 1,000 jobs were created by an investment of £1 billion in a Sunderland-based Responding to the new changes, the Operations Director of Osprey Charging Network Lewis Gardiner, said: "This is a hugely welcome and practical change that will make a real difference on the ground. "Removing the need for planning permission for essential electrical infrastructure like substations across the majority of sites will save months of delays, reduce costs and accelerate the delivery of the rapid charging hubs drivers need. "It's the result of months of collaboration between industry and government and we're proud to have played a key role in making it happen." Advertisement Switching to an electric vehicle can bring a range of benefits for drivers, particularly as the market continues to expand. This includes As the market expands, EV cars are becoming more affordable, with 2 in 5 used EVs now under £20,000 and 29 brand new models for under £30,000. Their engines have Advertisement The new government rule is helping to make it easier than ever to drive an electric vehicle, with the hopes of encouraging more accessible charging stations across the UK. 4 The government is working to make the UK a leader in the EV industry Credit: Getty
Business Mayor
02-05-2025
- Automotive
- Business Mayor
Boost for UK farmers after 'significant' change to which tractors are allowed on roads
UK farmers are set to produce their own fuel to power vehicles as hydrogen-powered tractors, which have 'performance advantages' over battery electric machinery, are now allowed on the country's roads. The change, which manufacturers say is a boost to British growers, was made on Tuesday by the Minister for the Future of Roads, Lilian Greenwood, and gives the green light to the use of hydrogen-fuelled agricultural and engineering plant vehicles, works trucks, or Category T tractors. It comes after new regulations allowing the vehicles were set out in a consultation by the previous Conservative government in 2024. Experts say that the statutory instrument will have 'significant ramifications' for agriculture as it works to replace diesel. Manufacturers continue to create new models, such as the hydrogen-fuelled Steyr prototype tractor. In 2021, JCB became one of the first agricultural engine makers to run its conventional power plants on compressed hydrogen successfully. The company told the Express that, even though it does not yet make a farm tractor fuelled by hydrogen, using a 'pioneering hydrogen combustion engine technology', there is no reason why the firm could not develop one in the future. The National Farming Union (NFU) suggested that, despite advantages presented by the technology, the transition away from fossil fuels will likely involve other ways of powering equipment. The union's Deputy President, David Exwood, said: 'The NFU believes that for hydrogen to be employed safely, it must pose no greater risk than other agricultural machinery fuels currently available in terms of its use, storage and distribution. 'The technical performance advantages of hydrogen over battery electric machinery could enable hydrogen fuel conversions for large tractors and combine harvesters, as well as engine options on new agricultural machinery, although this is likely to be one solution alongside battery electric power, biomethane and synthetic or HVO diesel.' Read More Will AI revolutionise or ruin video games? - National Herald JCB has emphasised that batteries are 'not practical for equipment with high power demands, and for machines that work in remote locations, such as backhoe loaders and large excavators'. It adds that batteries would 'weigh too much, cost too much and there would not be enough time to charge them, even if on-site charging infrastructure was in place'. Estonian manufacturer of electrolyser stacks and systems for green hydrogen production, Stargate Hydrogen, states that hydrogen fuel cells 'have fewer moving parts than internal combustion engines, leading to lower maintenance requirements and longer operational lifespans for machinery'. The firm adds: 'This can translate into cost savings and less downtime for essential farm equipment.' Similarly, Pennsylvania State University in the US says that hydrogen fuel cells 'efficiently convert fuel to electricity', which can 'translate to more power for farm equipment, improving their overall performance and productivity'. Experts add: 'Higher energy efficiency means that hydrogen-powered vehicles can cover more ground on a single tank, reducing downtime for refuelling.' In addition, specialists say that hydrogen can be stored for longer periods than regular fuel, providing a reliable energy source even in remote locations. But JCB has said that a hydrogen engine is a 'like-for-like replacement for a diesel engine in a machine, delivering similar efficiency levels'. The firm added: 'What's appealing to farmers is that, unlike diesel, they can potentially produce their own hydrogen fuel on the farm using solar, wind, or gas from an anaerobic digester.' JCB also highlighted that the legislation now permits the driving of hydrogen powered loadall telescopic handlers on roads, which are used equally in construction for lifting and loading bricks on building projects, and on UK farms for materials handling. Jobs include lifting farm produce and loading it into/onto trailers, grabbing hay to feed animals in fields or in yard pens. The manufacturer said: 'This hydrogen-powered JCB machine exists today as an advanced prototype with a hydrogen combustion engine under the bonnet. 'Yesterday's amendment to the road regulations means this agricultural vehicle can now be driven on UK roads, between farmyard and fields, and between fields. 'This is great news and bodes well for the future of hydrogen, as a zero CO2 fuel of the future in farming to replace diesel.' READ SOURCE
