AA urges EV charging funding push to accelerate net-zero retrofit

Welcome to Net Zero News, where we bring you the latest developments driving the UK’s transition to a net-zero future. Net Zero News can reveal that Edmund King OBE, President of The AA, will be discussing the issues surrounding the transition to electric vehicle charging, drawing on the association’s own insights and data, at the upcoming Transport + Energy Forum 2025.

In a recent announcement, Transport + Energy confirmed that King will join a panel of industry and policy experts at the Forum, set to take place in 2025. The event will bring together stakeholders from across the transport and energy sectors to explore practical solutions to decarbonisation challenges, with a particular focus on the roll-out of EV infrastructure.

The shift from internal combustion engines to electric vehicles is widely acknowledged as a cornerstone of the UK’s net-zero strategy. The AA has been tracking EV adoption rates, charging speeds and geographic coverage, and its data has highlighted both progress and ongoing roadblocks. Issues such as grid capacity constraints, standardisation of charging points and user experience feature prominently in industry discussions.

As the UK seeks to meet its legally binding target of net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, the availability and reliability of charging infrastructure will play a decisive role. Transport + Energy Forum delegates will debate how to accelerate charger installation, streamline regulatory approvals and ensure equitable access in urban and rural areas alike.

In a significant step towards the UK’s net-zero goals, The AA’s contribution promises to shed light on real-world charging behaviour and customer needs. This insight can help policymakers and private operators refine deployment strategies, reduce range anxiety and support the anticipated surge in EV uptake over the coming decade.

Transport + Energy, the forum organiser, is working with a range of industry sponsors and public sector partners to deliver the 2025 programme. While specific funding arrangements have not been publicly disclosed, Net Zero News understands that the event will feature exhibitors from charging network operators, energy suppliers and automotive manufacturers, alongside representatives from local authorities.

Net Zero News understands this forms part of a broader policy landscape that includes the UK Government’s Transport Decarbonisation Plan, the Net Zero Strategy and the recently published EV Infrastructure Strategy. These frameworks set out timelines for phasing out petrol and diesel vehicle sales, boosting renewable capacity and enhancing grid flexibility to accommodate growing electricity demand.

The AA’s participation is expected to influence both strategic thinking and operational planning across the charging sector. Local councils monitoring on-street charging hubs, regional energy networks preparing for peak loads and private operators seeking investment will all be watching closely for the association’s data-driven recommendations.

Looking ahead, delegates at the Transport + Energy Forum 2025 will consider next steps such as timetables for charger roll-out, reporting mechanisms for user performance and collaborative models for funding and maintenance. Outcomes from these discussions will feed into government consultations and industry roadmaps, helping to chart the course for the UK’s zero-emission future.

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