UK demands on-street EV charging on 11.5k streets

Motorists up and down the United Kingdom are appealing to local councils to introduce on-street charging points for electric vehicles (EVs) on more than 11,500 residential streets. The growing demand for convenient and accessible charging solutions has been highlighted by the public and submitted to Vauxhall’s Electric Streets of Britain campaign.

The initiative by Vauxhall aims to address the needs of the 40% of households without private driveways, as statistics reveal that 80% of EV charging takes place at home. By collaborating with chargepoint operators like charg.y, ConnectedKerb, and Surecharge, Vauxhall will utilise data collected through its online database to assist local councils in identifying the necessary charging infrastructure for their communities.

Recent Freedom of Information (FOI) findings by Vauxhall unveiled that 56.5% of the 267 local authorities surveyed are yet to develop a published strategy for on-street residential charging. Although there has been a 15% improvement from 2023 figures, it underscores the ongoing effort required to meet the increasing demand for EV charging options nationwide.

James Taylor, managing director at Vauxhall, emphasised the significance of on-street residential charging in propelling the transition to electric vehicles. Taylor remarked, “On-street charging is crucial for the widespread adoption of EVs. Our data shows the urgent need for over 11,000 on-street chargers to be installed promptly, making it more convenient for EV drivers and facilitating the shift to electric transportation.”

Vauxhall’s latest on-street charging demand map reveals the regions with the highest infrastructure requirements. Disparities in charging infrastructure distribution are evident, with a greater concentration of demand seen in the North of England compared to the South. Cities like Leeds, Glasgow, and Sheffield feature prominently among the local authorities expressing the most pressing need for charging facilities.

With collaboration from councils, Vauxhall discovered that over 15,000 on-street chargers are currently operational on UK roads, and an additional 8,000 units are set to be installed within the next year. As the UK Government strives to achieve 300,000 public EV charge points by 2030, local authorities must sustain the momentum to meet national targets efficiently.

Remarkably, London dominates the list of top councils in terms of on-street chargers deployed and annual growth rates. Of the top 20 councils by current charger numbers and growth rates, 14 are located in the capital, indicating a need for broader distribution of charging infrastructure nationwide.

The London Boroughs of Southwark and Barnet emerge as leaders, collectively accounting for 20% of all on-street charge points installed in the UK. Notably, Coventry City Council ranks third nationwide, with a substantial 40% increase in on-street chargers – demonstrating a strong commitment outside the capital to enhance EV charging accessibility.