Lilian Greenwood, the future of roads minister, said local authorities across England are set to enter into contracts with chargepoint operators, making it easier for drivers without a driveway to charge EVs.
The new points will more than double the number of public chargepoints available in the UK. There are currently 80,000 and the new ones are being delivered thanks to the existing Government funding from the £381m Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (LEVI) Fund.
Greenwood said: “This Government is powering up the EV revolution by rolling out a chargepoint every 29 minutes and our support to roll out over 100,000 local chargepoints in England shows we’re committed to making even more progress.
“We’re delivering our Plan for Change by investing over £4bn to support drivers make the switch, while backing British car makers through international trade deals – creating jobs, boosting investment and securing our future.”
The move follows planning changes last month aimed at making it easier for EV owners to install charging points on their driveways.
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Drivers no longer need to submit planning applications to install EV chargepoints, while there is also less red tape for businesses wanting to install the points.
Investment up but motorway conditions slammed
The news of the chargepoint investment came as motorists complained that a fifth of motorways are in poor condition, leading to unsafe conditions.
A survey from the AA raised complaints including poor road markings, poor road conditions and poor service station conditions.
Jack Cousens, head of roads policy at the AA, said: “Ensuring that motorway information is accurate and timely, and that road conditions are regularly maintained, is crucial for safety as well as improving the overall driving experience.
“The AA is committed to working with the relevant authorities to address these issues and enhance the reliability of motorway signage, as well as to promote safer driving practices and better road conditions across the UK.”
