The UK Government, today, announced a major expansion in electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure, aiming to install over 100,000 new local EV chargepoints across England in the coming years. The move is designed to make it easier for millions of drivers without access to private driveways to charge their vehicles overnight. The announcement came as Future of Roads Minister Lilian Greenwood visited EV infrastructure company Believ’s facilities in Exeter. The visit followed Believ’s own £300 million investment commitment to install 30,000 charge points nationwide after recent investment.
“These new charge points are about more than just convenience — they’re about fairness,” Minister Greenwood said. “We’re powering up the EV revolution with a charge point installed every 29 minutes, helping all drivers make the switch, no matter where they live.
The local rollout will be backed by the £381 million Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (LEVI) Fund, part of a wider £4 billion Government investment to support the transition to EVs. This includes £2.3 billion earmarked specifically for industry and consumer support, alongside ongoing efforts to secure international trade deals benefiting UK car manufacturers.
Believ CEO Guy Bartlett hailed the partnership between Government and business as “essential,” noting that increased visibility of charge points would boost driver confidence and accelerate EV adoption. “Confidence in EVs will continue to grow as drivers see more infrastructure going into the ground,” Bartlett said. “At Believ, we are very proud to be at the heart of this journey.”
The latest figures show there are already over 80,000 public charge points available across the UK, and with both public and private investment expected to top £6 billion by 2030, that number is set to soar. Suffolk County Council recently became the first local authority in England to sign a contract with a charge point operator under the LEVI scheme, and more councils are expected to follow suit in the coming months.
The Government’s broader Plan for Change also includes measures to cut regulatory red tape, making it easier for charge points to be installed, and helping drivers potentially save up to £1,110 per year by charging at home. The announcement underscores the UK’s determination to be a leader the global transition to EVs – boosting jobs, bolstering the automotive industry, and making cleaner transport accessible to all.
