- ChargeUK unveils “Our Electric Future”, focused on boosting EV charging infrastructure and making ownership easier and more affordable.
- The manifesto prioritises breaking through regulatory barriers, making EV ownership affordable, and attracting private investment.
ChargeUK Unveils ‘Our Electric Future’ Manifesto
ChargeUK, the leading voice of the EV charging industry, has unveiled its election manifesto titled “Our Electric Future: ChargeUK’s manifesto for the next government“.
The manifesto outlines a twelve-point plan aimed at significantly ramping up the rollout of crucial charging infrastructure across the UK. This initiative is designed to ensure that the country stays ahead of the growing demand for EV charging, providing drivers with convenient and affordable access to charging points.
ChargeUK is urging the next government to adopt these measures to accelerate the deployment of essential infrastructure and support the transition to electric vehicles.
ChargeUK’s manifesto zeroes in on three critical goals:
- It aims to break through grid, planning, and permitting barriers to swiftly install more chargers, while pushing for renewable electricity in the Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation Scheme.
- ChargeUK is committed to making EV ownership hassle-free and affordable by leveling VAT, cutting electricity costs, improving signage, and assisting drivers with EV purchases.
- ChargeUK is determined to attract private investment by streamlining the Rapid Charging Fund, accelerating the Local EV Infrastructure Fund, addressing standing charge hikes, and advancing HGV charging solutions.
Vicky Read, CEO of ChargeUK, said;
“There are already 60,000 public charge points available in the UK today. This, combined with over half a million home and work-place chargers, means that today’s EV drivers can be sure the charging infrastructure will be there for them.
One in three of those public chargers was installed in the last year, underlining the pace with which the rollout is taking place. But ChargeUK’s members want to go faster – we know that providing infrastructure ahead of demand is essential if we are to give the UK’s future EV drivers the confidence to switch. We also know that our infrastructure has to be easy for drivers to use and that it must be affordable.
Our manifesto details a comprehensive plan to support the UK’s transition to net zero, ensuring convenient and affordable charging for all drivers.”
The full manifesto:
Getting even more public chargers in the ground
1. Speed up grid connections by agreeing a voluntary Code with all DNOs, with regulation brought in if required.
2. Ensure the streetworks regime supports timely deployment, by enabling CPOs to use permits rather than Section 50 licences and preventing unnecessary use of Section 115e licences.
3. In England, extend Permitted Development Rights to include essential supporting infrastructure (such as substations) and an increase in charger height, to reflect the approach to charging infrastructure in Scotland.
4. Include renewable electricity in the Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation, creating a market-based mechanism to support private investment, at no expense to the taxpayer.
Make charging and owning an EV easy and more affordable
5. Equalise VAT at 5% for public and private charging – giving those who can’t charge at home access to more affordable charging.
6. Reform the electricity wholesale market to encourage more sustainable, lower cost and competitive electricity generation.
7. Work with industry and National Highways to develop standard charging signage and ensure it is widely used across the Strategic Road Network and other major roads.
8. Continue, and potentially expand, the current incentives that help people make the switch to EVs, whether they choose to buy or lease new, used or fleet EVs.
Supporting private investment
9. Urgently confirm the design of the Rapid Charging Fund to remove uncertainty and address market distortion
10. Ensure Local Authorities deploy Local EV Infrastructure funding quickly and provide clearer guidance on resident consultation for charge point site selection.
11. Address recent significant increases to standing charges, which have seen costs to CPOs rise by up to 300%.
12. Commit to engage with industry as the fleet, eLVC and eHGV market continues to develop.
