According to a recent report by the RAC, the government has failed to meet its target of having at least six rapid or ultra-rapid EV chargers at every motorway service area in England by the end of 2023.
Only 39% of the 119 service areas reviewed by the RAC had the target number of chargers above 50kW, which can charge most EVs to 80% in less than an hour.
This is a serious problem for EV drivers who need to travel long distances and rely on motorway services for fast and convenient charging. Without enough high-power chargers, drivers may face longer waiting times, higher costs, and lower confidence in making the switch to EVs.
The RAC has called on the government to accelerate the roll-out of high-power chargers on the strategic road network using the £950 million Rapid Charging Fund that was announced in March 2022. The fund is intended to help overcome the barriers of connecting high-power chargers to the grid, which can be costly and complex.
The government has also pledged to support the installation of more than 300,000 public chargers of all speeds by 2030 and more than 6,000 high-power chargers along strategic roads by 2035. However, these targets may not be enough to meet the expected demand from the growing EV fleet, which should have exceeded 1 million by the end of 2023.
According to the Competition and Markets Authority, at least 280,000-480,000 public charge points will be needed by 2030 to ensure a comprehensive and competitive EV charging sector that works for all drivers. Moreover, the quality and accessibility of the charging network should also be improved, by ensuring that charge point operators meet rigorous standards, such as enabling contactless payment, providing real-time information, and offering fair and transparent pricing.
The UK has the potential to become a world leader in EV adoption and infrastructure, but it needs to act fast and decisively to make it happen. The government, the industry, and the consumers all have a role to play in driving the transition to zero emission transport, and ensuring that EV charging is as easy and convenient as refuelling a petrol or diesel car.
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