Councils are planning to install an average of only 35 on-street electric vehicle (EV) chargers between now and 2025, new research reveals.
The research commissioned by Centrica under a Freedom of Information request to over 400 councils shows that there are 7,682 on-street chargers currently installed across the UK and only a further 9,317 are planned to be rolled out over the next four years.
According to researchers, this leaves drivers without a driveway, who have no access to home charging, a long way behind in the race to switch to EVs in time for the 2030 ban on petrol and diesel models.
Out of drivers in Centrica’s research who do not have a driveway or off-street parking, just 7% already have an EV, less than a quarter (24%) are considering switching but over half (53%) are not considering purchasing an EV at all.
When all drivers were asked to consider the ban, four out of five (83%) said that they think it will be easier for drivers with a driveway to make the switch.
Amanda Stretton, Sustainable Transport Editor at Centrica, commented on the findings: “The latest figures demonstrate the need for all UK councils to play their part in helping to achieve the 2030 ban.
“Whilst it’s great news that the government are providing initiatives to make the transition more affordable, cost isn’t the only barrier.
“With half of drivers attributing lack of chargers as the main reason preventing them from purchasing an EV, it’s unfair that those without a driveway risk getting left behind.
“Charging infrastructure and energy systems will need be upgraded to cope with the demand and support drivers.
“For example, we are working with businesses to install smart charging systems which help automate charging at times which does not put pressure on the grid.
“This helps regulate demand and ensures customers get the best deal on electricity prices.
“We are developing ways to support consumers, with and without driveways, in their transition to EV.
“For any customers who have been considering purchasing an electric vehicle but have concerns about costs and charging, our EV Top Tips offer some helpful advice to put your mind at rest and help you make the switch.”
The research also shows that installation plans are not distributed evenly across the UK.
Southern English councils are set to install two and a half times as many on-street EV chargers by 2025 than councils in Northern England, the Midlands, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland combined, with 6,713 vs 2,604 respectively.
According to Centrica, the latest figures show that southern councils have also plugged in 1,203 more chargers into their streets over the last three years than their northern counterparts.
More than four in ten (41%) drivers in the research agreed that there is a North/South divide in council funding for charge point installations.
According to the research, 126 councils across the UK have no concrete plans to install any more EV chargers than they already have between now and the end of 2025.
These include Bridgend, Fermanagh & Omagh, Dumfries & Galloway, Havering and Warrington.
With less than 10,000 on-street chargers planned to be installed by 2025, it’s clear there is a gap between supply and demand with 2,835 requests for on-street charging made to councils in 2019, increasing 5% to 2,989 requests lodged to councils by September 2020.
The Transport Secretary announced in January 2020 that government funding will be doubled to £10 million for the installation of charge points on residential streets next year.
This could fund up to 3,600 more charge points across the country and make charging at home and overnight easier for those without an off-street parking space.
Centrica recently shared the results of reportedly the UK’s largest trial of energy flexibility, which saw over 200 homes and businesses in Cornwall trading stored renewable electricity.
Energy sharing via electric vehicles and battery storage is viewed as key as it reportedly provides storage capacity for times when energy supply outstrips demand and vice versa.
This provides an opportunity for drivers to monetise the stored energy in their cars. Reportedly, over half (53%) of drivers in the research said they didn’t even know about this benefit.
When asked about barriers to EV ownership, half (49%) of drivers who said they would not consider purchasing an EV blamed the lack of access to on-street or public charging points in their area.
The cost of an EV itself is also a major concern amongst two thirds (61%) of those who are put off switching, alongside battery life (48%) and range anxiety (42%).
More than three quarters (77%) of drivers said that investment into more on-street charging points in urban areas would encourage more drivers without a driveway to go electric, as did a further three quarters (76%) who also said that the same investment in rural areas would boost local EV adoption.
