The UK’s electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure remains inconsistent – with significant gaps along motorways – according to a new report from the Public Accounts Committee (PAC).
The report criticises the Government for slow progress in charge point provision and warns that regional inequalities and accessibility issues risk being embedded into the roll-out.
Patchy motorway charging
Motorway service areas are crucial in building driver confidence, yet nearly a third of the UK’s 114 service areas failed to meet the Department for Transport’s (DfT) target of six ultra-rapid charge points by the end of 2023.
Despite announcing £950m in 2020 to boost motorway charging capacity, the PAC found that none of this funding had been allocated nearly five years later.
Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown MP, Chair of the Committee, stressed: “Drivers need confidence that they can use an EV without any risk of getting stranded, or they won’t make the switch.”
Regional disparities in EV infrastructure
The report highlights an uneven distribution of charge points, with 43% located in London and the South-East. Many rural areas remain underserved, as they are seen as less commercially viable.
The PAC suggests further government intervention may be necessary to ensure equitable access across the UK.
Sir Geoffrey warned: “Delivering thousands of points allowing Londoners to easily zip around the capital while leaving the rest of the UK’s network patchy is obviously an outcome to be avoided.”
Accessibility and cost concerns
The report raises serious concerns about accessibility for disabled drivers, noting that no UK charge points currently meet full accessibility standards.
Additionally, drivers without off-street parking face higher costs for charging due to VAT discrepancies, paying 20% rather than the 5% home charging rate.
Sir Geoffrey called for urgent action: “Not a single charge point in the country is currently fully accessible. We are risking baking a serious injustice into the fabric of a major part of our national infrastructure.”
Delays in local authority support
The Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (LEVI) programme, designed to help councils install charge points, is also behind schedule.
By October 2024, only 10 of 78 planned projects had been approved, raising fears that local authorities will struggle to secure resources before the March 2025 deadline.
The PAC urges the Government to accelerate the roll-out while ensuring all drivers – regardless of location, mobility, or financial status – can benefit from the transition to electric vehicles.
This series covers the developing electric vehicles market of the UK and its increasing infrastructure, as the nation advances its net-zero goals.
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