The Transport Secretary, , will tomorrow (Monday, 9
July) outline proposals to enable a major uplift in electric
vehicle charging infrastructure, paving the way for the
widespread adoption of ultra-low emission vehicles.
A number of initiatives outlined in the Government’s Road to Zero
Strategy will pave the way for a significant expansion of on and
off-street charging facilities, which could lead to hundreds of
thousands more chargepoints around the country.
They would deliver a huge boost to green transport
infrastructure, making it more convenient to charge electric
vehicles and removing one of the obstacles to their widespread
adoption.
The Road to Zero Strategy will help the Government to achieve key
elements of its Industrial Strategy – leading the industries of
the future and building the UK’s competitiveness in the face of
major global economic trends.
The strategy is technology neutral and does not speculate on
which technologies might help to deliver the Government’s 2040
mission. The Government sees a role for a broad range of
technologies, including hybrids, as part of this strategy.
The Government will further look to prepare for and capitalise on
the opportunities which will arise from the profound changes in
how people, goods and services will move around the country
through its Future of Mobility Grand Challenge.
The measures in the strategy on electric vehicle infrastructure
will include:
· Making sure houses being built in England are electric vehicle
ready by consulting as soon as possible on introducing a
requirement for chargepoint infrastructure for new dwellings
where appropriate.
· Future-proofing the UK’s streets by ensuring all new street
lighting columns have charging points, where appropriately
located, in areas with current on-street parking.
· Consulting on amending Building Regulations to also require
charging facilities in new non-residential buildings like
offices.
· Launching a £400m Charging Infrastructure Investment Fund to
help accelerate the roll-out of charging infrastructure by
providing funding to new and existing companies that produce and
install charge points.
· Creating a new £40m programme to develop and trial innovative,
low cost wireless and on-street charging technology.
· Increasing the grant level available through the Workplace
Charging Scheme to 75% of the purchase and costs of a
chargepoint, paving the way for more green transport
infrastructure in businesses.
· Investing £4.5 million in the On-street Residential Chargepoint
Scheme until 2020, paving the way for thousands more chargepoints
by offering funding to help meet the cost of local authorities
installing the green kit for residents.
The Government is also taking powers through the Automated and
Electric Vehicles Bill to ensure chargepoints are easily accessed
and used across the UK, available at motorway service areas and
large fuel retailers and are also smart ready.
Speaking at an event tomorrow to mark publication of the Road to
Zero strategy, the Transport Secretary will say he wants to work
with industry on the plan to pave the way “for the biggest
overhaul in road transport technology since the development of
the Benz Patent Motorcar over 130 years ago.”
And he will set out a plan for electric car drivers to “find it
easier to recharge their vehicles than motorists today who have
to visit a filling station.”
The Transport Secretary will say:
“The Road to Zero Strategy, combined with the measures we’ve
already introduced, will mean Britain now has one of the most
comprehensive support packages for zero emission vehicles in the
world.
“We want the UK to become the best country in the world in which
to develop and manufacture zero emission vehicles.
“The prize is not just a cleaner and healthier environment but a
UK economy fit for the future and the chance to win a substantial
slice of a market estimated to be worth up to £7.6 trillion by
2050.”
The charging infrastructure proposals will be among a raft of
wider measures and commitments, which are part of the delivery of
the Prime Minister’s modern Industrial Strategy, to put the UK at
the forefront of the design and manufacturing of zero emission
vehicles.
As set out in the Government’s Air Quality Plan, the UK will end
the sale of new conventional petrol and diesel cars and vans by
2040.
