The Government said the funding package will support at-home charging for households without driveways, transition NHS fleets to save millions for the health service in England, and create thousands of chargepoints at business depots across the UK.
A £25m scheme for local authorities will provide access to cheaper household charging rates, allowing consumers to save up to £1,500 per year compared to running a petrol or diesel car.
“Innovative” cross-pavement technology will allow cables to run safely beneath pavements, connecting homes directly to parked vehicles. This will enable drivers to tap in to cheaper domestic electricity rates for as little as 2p per mile, even if they don’t have a driveway.
The fund is the latest move to bolster the UK’s growing charging network, which has reached 82,000 public chargepoints.
Alexander said: “We are making it easier and cheaper to own an electric vehicle. We know access to charging is a barrier for people thinking of making the switch, so we are tackling that head on so that everyone – whether or not they have a driveway – can access the benefits of going electric.
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“Our investment is about more than just charging points – it’s about charging up Britain’s economy. I’m proud that through this boost, we are helping deliver cheaper bills for families, massive savings for the NHS to reinvest in patient care, and thousands of new green jobs.”
Edmund King, the AA’s president, said: “There are more public chargers than people realise, but they are often hidden in plain sight. Increasing signs for the public network is vital to help the EV transition as it will create confidence for drivers, both now and in the future.
“It is great to see more support for those without off-street parking so that they can also benefit from the EV revolution.”
In a move to help EV drivers plug in to the rapidly expanding charging network, the Government is also modernising EV charging signage on major roads. The changes will allow larger EV charging hubs to be signposted from major A roads for the first time.
Figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) published last week show that one in four car buyers choose electric.
