There will be a massive rise in electric vehicle charging points, the Government has announced, but critics say its still insufficient,
Concerns have been expressed for rural communities and where motorists do not have direct access to chargers outside their homes
The number of electric vehicle charging points will reach 300,000 by 2030 under government plans and when sales of petrol and diesel cars will be banned.
Under the proposals, operators will have to ensure drivers can compare prices and charge point availability in real time and pay by contactless card.
Th RAC said the chargepoint target “might sound impressive”, but it is concerned the number is “not going to be sufficient” for growing demand.
The UK currently has 30,000 public electric vehicle charging points.
The Department for Transport said the number of charge-points by the end of the decade would be the equivalent to almost five times the number of fuel pumps on UK roads today.
However it takes much longer to recharge an ev than refuel a traditional vehicle, so the number of points is less significant than the rate at which they can recharge a vehicle.
It said the £500m scheme would include £450m to boost public charging stations and on-street charging for people without driveways.
Fiona Howarth, CEO of Octopus Electric Vehicles, said,”It’s great to see support for a broad range of reliable charging – from high speed convenient rapids for topping up on longer journeys; to affordable local charging for regular use.
“The reality is that most people won’t use rapid chargers often – alternatively using home, workplace, kerbside and community charging that cost as little as £5 to fill up, instead of up to £40 at a rapid. But having an increasing base of reliable rapid chargers will continue to build confidence and encourage more people to make the switch to clean, green driving.”
