Electric Vehicle Charging ReportNew report on the UK’s electric vehicle EV strategy

Recently the Environment and Climate Change Committee published a report on the UK’s electric vehicle EV strategy.

The report states that current progress to move to EVs is too slow, noting that EVs are more expensive than their petrol and diesel counterparts and there is not a sufficient amount of affordable EVs on the market.

In addition, it finds that consumers face considerable anxiety around whether and where they can charge EVs reliably, affordably, and quickly, with the government missing its targets for motorway EV chargepoints.

The report notes that, to secure a successful transition to EVs, consumer confidence is critical. To ensure this, it outlines that the government must provide clearer communication and better leadership.

The report identifies several key areas to help achieve the Zero Emissions Vehicles mandate, including:

> Tackling the disparity in upfront costs between electric and petrol and diesel cars. There is an insufficient range of affordable EVs and EVs are more expensive than their petrol and diesel equivalents. The upfront cost of EVs, including second-hand cars, remains a significant barrier to consumer adoption and targeted grants should be reconsidered for EV purchases.

> Turbo-charging the EV charging infrastructure rollout. The number and range of public chargepoints must anticipate demand, giving consumers confidence in purchasing an EV, and keep pace with the number of EVs on the road. The government must urgently review outdated and disproportionate planning regulations which are a major block to the rollout. While there has been significant private investment, the considerable number of chargepoints necessary for 2035 will not be commercially viable for industry to install by this point. The government must tackle delays in the rollout of funding schemes for public chargepoint infrastructure and build on the support available to local authorities. The government must also bring forward legislation to introduce new powers to direct local authorities in areas where there is insufficient infrastructure.

> Ensuring charging is reasonably priced, convenient, and reliable. While in many cases EV charging costs less than petrol refuelling, the government must explore options for equalising the discrepancy between the VAT rates for domestic and public charging. It states that the current situation is unfair for drivers without access to off-street parking.

In February, Drax also published its Driving change report, in which it finds that 48% of UK businesses have installed electric vehicle (EV) chargepoints as part of wider sustainability efforts.

However, it adds that 42% of this portion have charging access in fewer than 10% of their total parking spaces.

Moreover, only one in four businesses have appointed specialist electrification support, with the report surmising that businesses are not aware of the available electrification support and are instead spending considerable time working through information to find insights of value.

Price is thought to be the most important factor for businesses when choosing between providers and specialists.

The report also highlights that the primary motivator for installing and expanding charging infrastructure is to keep up with charging demand, with cost noted to be the biggest barrier to entry for electrification adoption and implementation

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