UK needs to install electric car chargers five times faster to hit goals

Britain will need to install electric-vehicle charging points five times faster during this decade to prepare for a ban on the sale of new gasoline and diesel cars from 2030.

File photo of an electric vehicle used for representational purpose only
File photo of an electric vehicle used for representational purpose only

Installations need to increase to 35,000 points a year, from 7,000 now, according to a report by the Policy Exchange think tank published on Tuesday. Expanding at the current speed will lead to black spots in rural areas, it said.

The government announced Tuesday 20 million pounds ($27.4 million) of extra funding for an on-street residential charging scheme that would double the rollout of points installed under the plan to 8,000. That doesn’t come close to the pace needed, according to the report.

Also check these Cars

Find more Cars
Mg 4 Ev (HT Auto photo)
UPCOMING
₹ 30 - 32 Lakhs* *Expected Price
View Details
Tata Sierra Ev (HT Auto photo)
UPCOMING
₹ 25 - 30 Lakhs* *Expected Price
View Details
Tata Punch Ev (HT Auto photo)
UPCOMING
₹ 12 - 14 Lakhs* *Expected Price
View Details
Tata Tiago Ev (HT Auto photo)
₹ 8.49 - 11.79 Lakh* *Ex-showroom price
Add to compare
Check latest offers
Mg Comet Ev (HT Auto photo)
₹ 7.98 - 9.98 Lakhs* *Ex-showroom price
Add to compare
Check latest offers
Tata Nexon Ev (HT Auto photo)
₹ 14.74 - 19.94 Lakhs* *Ex-showroom price
Add to compare
Check latest offers

Also Read : Canada's EV agenda gets supercharged by Joe Biden, Ford, and GM green plans

Britain is looking at its growing fleet of electric cars as both a way to create jobs and balance the power grid, moving transport to the center of the fight against greenhouse gas emissions. National Grid Plc is expecting as many as 30 million electric vehicles on the road by 2040.

“To make EVs a practical choice for all drivers, the U.K.’s network of public charge points needs to expand rapidly," said Ed Birkett, researcher at Policy Exchange and co-author of the report. Without reforms, “the rollout of EV charge points will remain uneven, with fewer in rural areas and outside of London and the South East."

Also Read : Cheap microcars may go extinct as Japan pushes in electric vehicles

The government can bring down costs by procuring charge points through competitive tenders focused on areas that are under-served, using the same auction process as for offshore wind projects, Policy Exchange said.

Getting the charging infrastructure ready quickly enough is a challenge around the world. Having enough places to power up is thought to be the key to uptake of electric vehicles. China expanded its public electric vehicle charging network in December at an unprecedented pace -- installing 112,000 connectors in just one month. That’s more than the 97,000 public chargers the U.S. has installed since 2010.

First Published Date: 02 Feb 2021, 09:37 AM IST
NEXT ARTICLE BEGINS
Shopping Bag Shop Now
74% OFF
IDELLA Car Duster, Extendable Long Handle Microfiber Car Duster Exterior Scratch Free Car Cleaning Tool, Car Dust Brush for Truck, Pickup, SUV, RV, Motorcycle, Vehicles Cleaning,(Multicolor)
Rs. 238 Rs. 899
55% OFF
Antson Portable High Power 2 in 1 Car Vacuum Cleaner | USB Rechargeable Wireless Handheld Car Vacuum Cleaner Traveling, Camping Reusable and Sustainable, Portable,Rechargeable Vacuum (2 in 1)
Rs. 899 Rs. 1,999
74% OFF
Microfiber Car Cleaning Soft Brush Ideal as Mop Duster, Washing Brush with Long Handle, Dust Cleaner Car Wash Brush with Handle, Soft Brush Scratch Free, Cleaning Dashboard Curved Design - Grey
Rs. 389 Rs. 1,499
1% OFF
GOODAIR Clear Car Windshield Enhancer | Classic |12 Tablets
Rs. 295 Rs. 299

Please provide your details to get Personalized Offers on

Choose city
+91 | Choose city
Choose city
Choose city
Powered by: Acko Logo
Please be noted that any information provided herein above will be received by Acko General Insurance Limited (“Acko”). By mentioning the above information, you agree to provide these details and information to Acko.
By clicking "View Offers" you Agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy

Dear Name

Please verify your mobile number.

+91 | Choose city
Couldn't verify the OTP.
It's either expired or it's incorrect.