Net Zero News: EV funding postcode lottery undermines net-zero

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 EV charging experts have sounded the alarm over a growing “postcode lottery” in access to on-street charging infrastructure, raising concerns that current measures may fall short of supporting a nationwide electric vehicle rollout.

In a recent analysis published by Electrifying.com, researchers highlight a stark north-south divide in public charging provision across England. The study, which draws on charge point deployment figures and demographic patterns, warns that five northern cities, including Liverpool, Leeds and Manchester, are trailing their southern counterparts in per-capita charger availability. Experts involved in the report argue that relying solely on financial incentives from the UK Government is not enough to address these regional imbalances.

The distribution of charge points is central to the UK’s efforts to decarbonise transport, the sector responsible for more than a quarter of domestic greenhouse gas emissions. On-street charging, in particular, provides a vital solution for households without private off-street parking, allowing residents in terraced streets and urban centres to make the switch to electric vehicles. Net Zero News understands this analysis forms part of a growing evidence base urging policymakers to look beyond headline funding figures and focus on targeted deployment strategies.

Across England, local authorities have received millions in grant funding to support public charge point installations under schemes such as the On-Street Residential Chargepoint Scheme. Yet the Electrifying.com report finds that deployment has been uneven, with southern regions benefiting from a denser network of fast and rapid chargers. The north-south disparity risks slowing EV adoption rates in communities where uptake is already lagging, potentially jeopardising broader decarbonisation goals.

In a significant step towards the UK’s net-zero goals, on-street charging must be accessible to all, regardless of postcode. The current postcode lottery, as described by experts, could undermine the UK’s ambition for a national switch to electric vehicles by 2030, the government’s target date for ending the sale of new petrol and diesel cars. Robust infrastructure planning is essential to ensure equitable access and to drive consumer confidence in EV technology.

Backing comes primarily in the form of grant funding administered by the Department for Transport, which allocates annual budgets for charge point subsidies. However, Electrifying.com notes that financial support alone will not overcome logistical, planning and coordination challenges faced by local authorities. Collaboration with private sector charge point operators, energy network companies and housing providers is equally crucial to streamline installations and integrate charging solutions into existing urban landscapes.

Key partners in expanding the charging network include municipal councils, regional transport bodies and specialist EV infrastructure firms. Many local authorities have set ambitious targets for public charger roll-out but lack the technical capacity or strategic frameworks to deliver them at scale. Net Zero News understands this forms part of a wider conversation on how to mobilise both public and private investment more effectively, ensuring that every region contributes to—and benefits from—the low-carbon transport transition.

This warning arrives against a backdrop of broader UK net-zero policy commitments. The sixth Carbon Budget, published by the Climate Change Committee, sets a path for deep emissions reductions across all sectors, with transport playing a pivotal role. The government’s Transport Decarbonisation Plan outlines the need for 300,000 public chargers by 2030, yet the Electrifying.com findings suggest current progress may not be sufficient to meet that ambition on a geographically balanced basis.

Communities in the north face particular challenges, including higher vehicle ownership ratios in areas lacking private driveways and limited access to grid-capacity upgrades. Without targeted interventions, these regions could see slower EV uptake, reducing potential air quality improvements and local economic benefits associated with green jobs in charging infrastructure deployment and maintenance.

Looking ahead, local authorities and national agencies must work in concert to refine deployment strategies, prioritise areas of greatest need and accelerate planning approvals. Net Zero News can reveal that stakeholders are calling for greater transparency in charger distribution data, alongside simplified grant application processes and enhanced technical support for under-resourced councils.

Over the coming months, Electrifying.com plans to publish further regional breakdowns, highlighting specific districts where intervention is most urgent. Local decision-makers will need to act on these insights to ensure that on-street EV charging is rolled out in a way that meets both local demand and the UK’s overarching net-zero targets.

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