The Public Accounts Committee (PAC, a Commons Select Committee) has released a report highlighting key issues in the UK’s public EV charging infrastructure. It points to slow progress at motorway service areas, regional disparities in local authority rollout outside London, and challenges around cost and accessibility for those unable to charge at home.
While the government aims to install 300,000 charge points by 2030, the rollout remains uneven, with 43% of existing points concentrated in London and the South-East. Many motorway service areas have failed to meet the Department for Transport (DfT)’s goal of six ultra-rapid charge points each by the end of 2023. Despite a £950m pledge in 2020 to improve electricity capacity on strategic roads, none of the funds have been allocated. The report warns that without addressing regional disparities, the shift to EVs will be hindered.
In addition to regional imbalances, the PAC raised concerns about the rollout's impact on disadvantaged groups, including drivers with disabilities and those without off-street parking. Accessibility standards remain unmet, and people who rely on public charge points face higher costs due to increased VAT rates. Furthermore, delays in the local authority support programme have resulted in just 10 out of 78 projects being approved for delivery by October 2024. The PAC has urged the DfT to accelerate progress, ensure equitable access, and prevent long-term inequalities in EV infrastructure.
The BVRLA is concerned that the report overlooks a critical aspect - charging provision for electric vans. The report does not pick up on the accessibility issues facing van operators which the BVRLA highlighted in its submission. The size of charging bays and height restrictions meaning vans cannot access charging and the lack of bookability, which is critical to reduce downtime.
The BVRLA’s Fleet Friendly Charging Index found that in 2024, over 60% of local authorities had not engaged with fleets on their charging needs. To bridge this gap, the BVRLA is working to support local authorities through the Fleet Charging Guide, helping them develop solutions that accommodate the growing demand for electric fleet charging.
BVRLA’s Fleet Charging Guide.
Information on the Inquiry: Public Accounts Committee - Summary - Committees - UK Parliament.
Download a copy of the report: Public charge points for electric vehicles.
