For the ever-increasing number of EV drivers without their own off-street parking, public charge point access is key to owning and running an electric vehicle.
However, a new study has revealed that councils continue to fail EV drivers by leaving charge point funding untouched, despite the government’s attempt to increase the uptake of EVs.
According to research conducted by the AA, just 107 local authorities out of thousands eligible have put any funding towards charge points since the government’s On-street Residential Charge Point Scheme (ORCS) was announced five years ago.
So, just how damaging are the statistics regarding council-led EV charge point installations?
Damning Statistics Reveal Extent of Council Failures
The figures, released by the AA following a series of Freedom of Information (FoI) requests to the Department of Transport, make for damning reading.
Records show that as of 1 July 2022, just 2,869 devices have so far been installed on residential streets across the country using the funds, representing £10.2million of grant funding to 95 councils in total. Approval for a further 9,543 devices has been given – in many cases to the same councils – though they are not yet in place.
Given that the government estimates we need 125,000 on-street charging points delivered via the OCRS scheme, just 12,500 have been funded since 2017.
The lack of publicly-available on-street charging infrastructure is disproportionately affecting some groups. For instance, households without driveways are less likely to have home charging equipment, and those renting tend to be more reliant on on-street options.
Without a significant change in the way in which local authorities are using – or not using – the charge point funding, it’s difficult to see how the UK will even get close to the national target of 300,000 public charging points installed by 2030.
Who Is Eligible for the ORCS? What Funding Can be Secured for Local Authorities?
The ORCS scheme is available to any local authority body, including the 9,000+ parish councils within the UK.
The ORCS offers grant funding of up to 60% towards the costs associated with the installation of on-street residential charge points, including the cost of the equipment, installation, civil works, and connection to the grid. The maximum level of funding available is £7,500 per charge point, with a special dispensation of up to £13,000 for particularly challenging installations.
With applications set to close on 31 March 2023, there is still time for more councils to take advantage of the scheme and put funding towards charge points.
Are You a Local Authority Looking to Increase the Number of EV Charge Points in Your Area?
If you’re a local authority looking to increase the number of charge points in your area, get in touch with us today. We can help you to secure the funding you need to make it happen. Our experienced team can help your local authority secure funding to install high-quality, reliable charge points quickly and efficiently.
As an OLEV-approved EV charge point installation company, we can take care of all aspects of your project, from helping you complete the initial feasibility studies and site surveys to the design, installation, and ongoing maintenance of your charge points.
Contact us today to find out more about how we can help you increase the number of EV charge points in your region.
