Government's new electric vehicle chargepoint funding must provide space for commercial use

Wednesday 22 February 2023

The £56 million funding announced yesterday (21 February 2023) by government 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. Speaking about yesterday’s funding announcement, Senior Policy Manager at Logistics UK, Denise Beedell, comments: 

“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.  So, while this funding – which will be used to expanding the current Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (LEVI) pilot and deliver an additional 2,400 chargepoints to the 3,000 chargepoint already installed through the On-Street Residential Chargepoint Scheme (ORCS) – 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 infrastructure 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.” 

Logistics UK is one of the UK’s leading business groups, representing logistics businesses which are vital to keeping the UK trading, and more than seven million people directly employed in the making, selling and moving of goods. With COVID-19, Brexit, new technology and other disruptive forces driving change in the way goods move across borders and through the supply chain, logistics has never been more important to UK plc. Logistics UK supports, shapes and stands up for safe and efficient logistics, and is the only business group which represents the whole industry, with members from the road, rail, sea and air industries, as well as the buyers of freight services such as retailers and manufacturers whose businesses depend on the efficient movement of goods.