Most drivers rely on councils for street charging.

Motorists across the UK are increasingly looking to local councils to improve on-street charging provision, according to a recent study by Vauxhall. The research found that fewer than one in 10 drivers are satisfied with on-street charging in their area, dropping as low as 4% in Wales. An overwhelming 75% of respondents expect their local councils to take the lead in making on-street charging more accessible.

Only 30% of those surveyed believe that motorists who own or want to own an electric vehicle (EV) are adequately supported by their local council, with even lower numbers reported outside of London. With the upcoming local and mayoral elections in England and Wales, motorists have highlighted a lack of focus on charging infrastructure by candidates.

While issues regarding motorists are frequently in the spotlight, only a quarter of respondents noticed discussions around charging infrastructure in the political manifestos and canvassing of local candidates, indicating a decline in its importance on the political agenda.

Accessible on-street charging is crucial to ensure drivers can easily and conveniently charge their electric vehicles, especially for the approximately 40% of drivers in the UK who do not have access to a driveway. To address this issue, Vauxhall launched the Electric Streets of Britain campaign to support councils in accelerating local charging infrastructure.

As part of this initiative, Vauxhall introduced an online database for drivers to register their charging needs and established an ‘Enablement Fund’ to assist local authorities in collaboration with charging operators such as Char.gy, Connected Kerb and SureCharge.

Registrations on Vauxhall’s Electric Streets of Britain hub reflect the concerns raised in the recent study, with a high demand for charge point installations in cities like Glasgow, Leeds and Birmingham. These are areas where a considerable number of drivers expressed that EV owners require more support from their local council.

London currently houses up to 60% of the UK’s on-street chargers, highlighting charging inequality across regions. The research by Vauxhall revealed that London is the only area where the majority of motorists (60%) feel that EV drivers are adequately supported by their local council.

James Taylor, managing director at Vauxhall, emphasized the importance of discussing electric vehicle charging infrastructure ahead of the local and mayoral elections. He highlighted the role of local authorities in meeting infrastructure needs and ensuring a smooth transition to electric vehicles for all drivers across the UK.

UK motorists interested in having on-street residential EV chargers installed near them can express their interest through the Vauxhall campaign at www.electricstreets.co.uk.

A recent study by charge point operator Believ indicates that many local authorities are struggling to implement their electric vehicle infrastructure plans, posing a threat to the government’s goal of having 300,000 public charge points available by 2030. The analysis shows that several councils are behind schedule, with some pushing completion deadlines beyond 2030.

The Government plans to introduce legislation requiring local transport authorities in England to develop local charging strategies if they have not already done so as part of their local transport plans. This move, announced in October 2023, aims to ensure the provision of charge points, including in council-owned car parks.

In England, the LEVI Fund supports local authorities in planning and delivering charging infrastructure for residents without off-street parking. The fund provides capital and capability funding to facilitate the installation of charge points in various regions.

In the latest funding round, more than £185m was allocated to councils from Torbay to Tees Valley, allowing them to determine the best locations for installing charge points in their respective areas.