Latest news with #LocalEVInfrastructureFund
Daily Mirror
01-08-2025
- Automotive
- Daily Mirror
Worst part of UK to own an EV named as £63m investment unveiled
The investment is designed to accelerate the move to net zero, back British manufacturing and create greener jobs, all the while lowering transport costs for families The worst region of Great Britain to be an electric vehicle (EV) owner has been revealed, just after a £63 million government investment to supercharge the UK's EV revolution was announced. In an effort to encourage people to ditch their internal combustion engine (ICE) cars and switchover to electric vehicles (EVs), the initiative announced in mid July will significantly add to the UK's ever-growing charging network. The nation already has 82,000 public charge points, with an additional 100,000 expected by 2030 through the government's Local EV Infrastructure Fund, as well as £6 billion of private investment. It comes after news anyone buying fuel next week given '£15 charge' warning by The AA. But despite this significant growth in the UK's EV charging infrastructure, certain regions remain seriously underserved, making them among the worst places to own an EV. According to government figures, Northern Ireland stands out as the area with the fewest public charging points — approximately 36 chargers per 100,000 people, the lowest ratio in the UK. According to data from zapmap, the country has a total of 690 public EV chargers as of the end of June 2025. Following Northern Ireland, the data shows the North West and Yorkshire and the Humber also have low charger densities, with approximately 66 devices per 100,000 people. Other areas with low per capita provision include the East Midlands and East of England, at around 73 and 87 chargers per 100,000 respectively, well below the UK average of 108.5 chargers per 100,000. Unsurprisingly, London tops these figures with 250.4 chargers per 100,000 people. To address these challenges and more, the UK government announced the £63 million investment in July 2025 aimed at expanding and improving EV charging accessibility. This funding package allocates £25 million toward enabling at-home charging solutions for drivers without off-street parking — a common barrier, especially in urban areas with limited private driveways. Another £30 million is dedicated to business depots to support electrification of commercial vehicles including heavy goods vehicles, vans and buses. Additionally, £8 million is targeted at the NHS to electrify ambulance and medical fleets across over 200 sites. Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander highlighted this investment's role in making EV ownership easier and more affordable nationwide, stating, "We're building a fairer, cleaner future where every family can benefit from cheaper, greener transport." Efforts will also include improved road signage for EV charging hubs to better inform and reassure drivers. While the UK rapidly expands its charging network, the ongoing geographic imbalance demonstrates that more targeted support is necessary to level the playing field. The new investment aims to mitigate these issues, helping to ensure equitable access to charging facilities and supporting the UK's goal of leading Europe's EV transition. This investment is part of the government's Plan for Change, designed to accelerate the move to net zero, back British manufacturing and create greener jobs, all the while lowering transport costs for families.
Daily Mirror
19-07-2025
- Automotive
- Daily Mirror
Inside UK's huge £25m EV boost for Brits who don't have a drive
The UK Government has announced a massive £63m investment package to help make owning an EV easier and more cost-effective, allowing Brits to save up to £1,500 a year Brit electric vehicle (EV) owners are set to benefit from a huge new round of government funding that will improve access to home chargers for everyone — regardless of whether they have a driveway or not. A new £63 million investment is set to accelerate Britain's EV revolution, taking a significant step in the switchover from internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles to electric. One of the central features of the initiative is a £25 million scheme for local authorities focused on improving access to at-home charging for households without off-street parking. Through cross-pavement charging technology, cables will be routed safely beneath pavements to connect parked EVs to home electricity supplies. This tech enables families to tap into cheaper domestic electricity rates at around two pence per mile, potentially saving up to £1,500 a year compared to running an ICE vehicle. The new initiative will build on the UK's ever-growing charging network, which has already reached 82,000 public charge points, with an additional 100,000 expected by 2030 through the government's Local EV Infrastructure Fund, as well as £6 billion of private investment. The NHS will also benefit from an £8 million fund aimed at upgrading over 200 medical sites to electric fleets. Health Minister Karin Smyth branded the move a 'win-win' that will result in 'cheaper travel for the NHS and cleaner air for our communities'. More than 1,200 charging sockets are being rolled out with the aim of reducing emissions and generating long-term savings for the health service, in turn allowing these funds to be reinvested in patient care. Hospitals are expected to save millions on fuel and maintenance costs. The government will also provide grants to help businesses nationwide install chargepoints at their depots. This move supports the transition of heavy goods vehicles, vans and coaches to zero-emission alternatives. Another £400 million, as announced in the spending review, will be used to boost EV charging along strategic road networks to ensure the infrastructure keeps pace with demand, particularly for longer journeys. To help drivers locate charging points more easily, signage will also be improved on major A-roads, directing motorists to nearby EV hubs — these hubs have more than doubled since 2023. Support from industry voices has been strong, with Edmund King of the AA saying: "There are more public chargers than people realise, but they are often hidden in plain sight. Increasing signs for the public network is vital to help the EV transition." This investment is part of the government's Plan for Change, designed to accelerate the move to net zero, back British manufacturing and create greener jobs across the UK, all the while lowering transport costs for families.
