The Prime Minister has announced that new homes and buildings such as supermarkets and workplaces, as well as those undergoing major renovation, will be required to install electric vehicle charge points from next year.
Up to 145,000 extra charge points will be installed across England each year thanks to these regulations, building on the 250,000 home and workplace charge points the Government has already supported to date.
“With the majority of charging happening at home, this will mean people can buy new properties already ready for an electric vehicle future, while ensuring charge points are readily available at new shops and workplaces across the UK”, the Government highlighted.
As well as new homes and non-residential buildings, those undergoing largescale renovations which leaves them with over 10 parking spaces will be required to install electric vehicle charge points.
Positively, after consulting with industry, the Government has confirmed it will make it easier and simpler for people to go electric, by introducing simpler ways to pay whilst travelling, such as contactless, at all new fast and rapid charge points.
The Government has also announced that following a successful pilot with businesses, Innovate UK will deliver a new three-year programme of £150m in new flexible and affordable Innovation Loans to help British SMEs commercialise their latest R&D innovations. This programme supports businesses to grow, scale up and create new highly-skilled jobs.
NFDA has recently highlighted that “it is vital that the Government continues to intervene to improve the public charging infrastructure and avoid a scenario where the uptake of electric vehicles becomes heavily localised. Equally, financial incentives remain vital to support consumers as the cost of electric vehicles is often indicated by motorists as the main obstacle to EV adoption”.
For further details, please visit gov.uk
