Plans to roll out 300,000 electric vehicle charge points across the UK by 2030 risk creating a “regional divide” between well-connected areas of London and the south-east and the rest of the country, according to the spending watchdog.
The National Audit Office has found that the government is on track to meet its target for 300,000 charging points to be fitted by 2030, but the country’s major leagues are missing.
He warned that London has more charging points installed per capita than any other UK region. Overall, 44% of all public charging points are established in London and the south-east, while only 15% of charging points in England are in rural areas, according to the NAO.
Gareth Davies, head of the NAO, said the government’s 2030 plan appears “approachable” but “more needs to be done to ensure adequate coverage in all parts of the country”.
The watchdog said the government’s program to support local authorities in developing hotspots with £450m funding was expected to install 100,000 dishes, but had been hit by delays as local authority plans took longer to develop than the government expected.
In addition, the rollout has been hindered because it is “slower and more expensive than it needs to be,” a case of point operators complying with planning permissions and the connection needs electricitysaid NAO.
The NAO said the UK should give more priority to rolling public service points, especially with sufficient numbers in key locations for long-distance journeys to give drivers confidence to switch to EVs.
“This cannot happen in peace and in areas without the necessary government intervention,” warned the NAO.
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Geoffrey Clifton-Brown, chair of the House of Commons public affairs committee, said issues with planning permits and the necessary electricity connections “act as avenues for further progress”.
“If the government is serious about encouraging the adoption of electric vehicles, it must ensure that the state can reach reliable, convenient and accessible charging points,” he said.
He reached out to the government for comment.