🕒 Article read time: 2 minutes
Government's new electric vehicle chargepoint funding must provide space for commercial use
The £56 million funding announced by government last week (21 February 2023) to increase the provision of electric vehicle (EV) charge points must create provision for commercial vehicles, according to business group Logistics UK, if the industry is to hasten its transfer to net zero.
Figures released in October 2022 by the Department for Transport (DfT) showed the total number of public EV chargepoints in the UK reached 34,637. However, the UK Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Strategy report, published in 2022, notes that government has predicted the UK will require at least 300,000 charge points by 2030.
Denise Beedell, Senior Policy Manager, Logistics UK (pictured above), said: “While this funding is a much-needed step forwards on the route to net zero, the charging requirements of the commercial vehicle sector must be factored into any developments.
“Local authorities must ensure that any new public EV chargepoint installation and infrastructure provides adequate electric vehicle charging facilities with sufficient space for use by commercial vehicles. An immediate uplift in the number of public chargepoints that can be used by battery electric vans and a recognition of the future needs of battery electric trucks, is vital to give the logistics sector the confidence to invest in zero emission at the tailpipe vehicles.”
The £56 million funding will be used to expand the current Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (LEVI) pilot and deliver an additional 2,400 chargepoints to the 3,000 already installed through the On-Street Residential Chargepoint Scheme (ORCS).
*www.logistics.org.uk/van
Published On: 02/03/2023 16:00:08
Comments Section
If you are a Logistics UK member login to add comments.
