As the government continues in its push for 300,000 charge point installations by 2030, a recent report has uncovered that many regions within the UK sorely lack the infrastructure to support the continuing increase in electric vehicles (EVs).
A new analysis of the EV charge point market has found that just 32,000 have been installed in the past decade, and the speed at which new charge points are being installed is not enough to meet the government’s target.
New Report Throws Spotlight on the Scale of the EV Infrastructure Challenge
The research, conducted by leasing firm Novuna Vehicle Solutions, found that just under a third of all EV drivers now have to queue in order to charge their vehicles. Given that three in five petrol car drivers said their next car was likely to be electric and stated that they would not buy or live in a house without a charge point, the problems are likely to only get worse.
Even if the government manages to hit its target of 300,000 charge points by 2030, the research suggests that this will still leave the UK without adequate infrastructure. The study found that there would be 54 electric vehicles vying for every charging point by the end of the decade, based on the current growth rates of EV sales.
Research Highlights Severe Disparities Between Regions Regarding EV Charging Infrastructure
The research also identified the UK regions that are struggling the most with a lack of charge points, with London being by far and away the best region for EV drivers. With less than five vehicles per charge point, the capital has one of the best ratios in Europe.
By contrast, the North West and South West have the worst ratios in the UK, with 28 and 32 vehicles per charge point, respectively. This is primarily driven by the lack of interest in delivering charging infrastructure shown by councils, local authorities, and private companies in these regions.
It’s no wonder that 75% of EV drivers describe the UK’s EV charging infrastructure as “not fit for purpose.” It’s clear that the government and other private enterprises urgently need to invest in infrastructure to make EVs a viable option for motorists across the country.
Applegarth Spearheading Charging Infrastructure Works in North West
While the North West is statistically one of the worst regions for EV charge points, firms such as ourselves here at Applegarth are helping to redress the balance. Under new schemes, including the Local EV Infrastructure (LEVI) fund, we are helping towns and cities across the region (such as Warrington) to install new charge points and support the growth of electric motoring.
If you would like to find out more about how we can help you make the switch to electric driving, please get in touch with our team today.
We offer EV charge point installation services to domestic and commercial customers throughout the North West. Our outfit is fully accredited by OLEV, so you can be sure you’re in safe hands.
Call Applegarth Electrical today on 0151 649 8350 to learn more.
