DfT consultation on where electric vehicle chargers are needed most

The Department for Transport (DfT) has launched a 10-week consultation seeking views on where chargers are needed most and how best to design the Rapid Charging Fund.

The announcement, made to coincide with COP28 Transport Day in Dubai, comes as the Government pledged £70 million from the Rapid Charging Fund to help boost grid connections at motorway services. 

Zapmap’s quarterly statistics, published in October, showed that the number of ultra-rapid charge points in the UK increased by 68% since September 2022, with the number of slow chargers increasing by almost 68% as well.

There are now more than 50,000 chargers in the UK and looking ahead, given the current rate of installation, Zapmap’s calculations show that the UK is likely to reach 100,000 charging devices in August 2025.

The Government consultation, which closes on Fenruary 13, 2024, is seeking views from a range of stakeholders including fleets, charge point operators, motorway service area operators, and electricity suppliers.

It will focus on the requirement for funding on SRN A-roads; the requirement to future-proof connections at motorway service areas; applicants to the fund; and the design of the funding model.

The DfT consultation will also examine how to ensure effective competition at motorway service areas; charging provision for heavy goods vehicles at motorway service areas; and how to ensure sufficient provision of charge points at motorway service areas.

The Government says that it will use the evidence gathered, as well as learnings from the £70m pilot, to help inform the design of the fund.

COP28 UAE takes place from November 30 to December 12 at Expo City, Dubai in the United Arab Emirates. 

The United Nations Climate Change Conferences are held annually and serve as the formal meeting to negotiate and agree action on how to tackle climate change, limit emissions and halt global warming.