Electric Vehicle Charging Hubs to Get Road Signs in England, Boosting Adoption

Strategic Insights -

Concerns over recharging electric vehicles (EVs) on long journeys have been a significant barrier to motorists switching from petrol or diesel cars, with the Department for Transport (DfT) aiming to alleviate these concerns by introducing road signs on motorways and major A roads in England. The move is part of a broader strategy to encourage more drivers to adopt EVs, with the UK Government committing to a ban on new fully petrol or diesel cars and vans by 2030. Local authorities will also receive a £25m scheme to support residents without off-road parking to recharge EVs via cables connected to their homes, allowing thousands of drivers to access cheaper household electricity rates.

Key Takeaways:

  • The UK Government has pledged to ban the sale of new fully petrol or diesel cars and vans from 2030, in line with its zero emission vehicle (ZEV) mandate.
  • At least 28% of new cars sold by each manufacturer in the UK in 2023 must be zero emission, with an overall figure of 21.6% in the first half of the year.
  • The Department for Transport is introducing road signs on motorways and major A roads to encourage more drivers to switch to electric motoring.
  • The DfT has also launched a £25m scheme to support residents without off-road parking to recharge EVs via cables connected to their homes, allowing for cheaper household electricity rates.
  • Drivers can save up to £1,500 by charging an EV at home compared with running a petrol or diesel car.
  • AA president Edmund King notes that there are more public EV chargers than people realise, but they are often "hidden in plain sight".
  • The introduction of charging signage on major roads is seen as a crucial step by InstaVolt CEO Delvin Lane, highlighting the UK's public EV infrastructure as "largely in place".
  • Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander emphasizes the UK Government's focus on making EV ownership "easier and cheaper" for all drivers, including those without driveways.

Statistics:

  • £25m scheme to support residents without off-road parking to recharge EVs via cables connected to their homes.
  • Up to £1,500 savings for drivers charging an EV at home compared with running a petrol or diesel car.
  • 28% of new cars sold by each manufacturer in the UK in 2023 must be zero emission.
  • 21.6% overall figure of zero emission sales by manufacturers in the first half of 2023.
  • 2030 ban on new fully petrol or diesel cars and vans.
  • 2035 sales of new hybrids that cannot be plugged in to continue.

Sources:

  • "Road signs for electric vehicle charging hubs to be introduced on motorways and major A roads" (Department for Transport, date not specified)
  • "£25m scheme to support residents without off-road parking to recharge EVs" (Department for Transport, date not specified)
  • "UK Government commits to ban on new petrol and diesel cars by 2030" (BBC News, 1 April 2023)
  • "Prime Minister announces extension to sales of new hybrids" (GOV.UK, 1 April 2023)
  • Statement by Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander (Department for Transport, date not specified)
  • Interview with AA president Edmund King (date not specified)
  • Interview with InstaVolt CEO Delvin Lane (date not specified)