The UK government has announced that it will double funding for 1,000 new chargepoints to be installed on residential streets.
As part of the UK’s larger £1.5bn (US$1.8bn) investment of its Road to Zero strategy, which aims to have net zero emmissions by 2050. The £2.5m (US$3m) investment in residential charging points aim to make EV ownership easier (and more appealing) for those who don’t have access to charging points on off-street parking. This is particularly relevant to those who live in cities or urban areas where driveways are scarce.
The funding will go towards helping local authorities to install these chargepoints, which can be built into existing structures like lamp-posts. The scheme aims to encourage even more people to choose an electric vehicle by making it easier to charge their cars near home, following a 158% increase in battery electric vehicle sales compared to July last year.
The scheme has already seen 16 local authorities prepared to install 1,200 chargepoints this year. The Transport Secretary is now doubling funding for the popular scheme to meet demand.
“It’s vital that electric vehicle drivers feel confident about the availability of chargepoints near their homes, and that charging an electric car is seen as easy as plugging in a smartphone,” said Grant Shapps, transport secretary.
“That’s why we are now doubling the funding available for local authorities to continue building the infrastructure we need to super-charge the zero emission revolution – right across the country.”
