The transport secretary has launched a £70m pilot scheme to power up motorway service areas to for ultra-rapid electric vehicle charge points.
However, his Labour shadow, Louise Haigh, pointed out that the cash is just 7% of a fund that was set up three years ago and has not allocated any money until now.
Speaking at COP28 in Dubai, Mark Harper laid out plans for up to 10 trial sites in England with boosted electrical network capacity, which the Department for Transport said would ensure that electricity network capacity is future-proofed to 2035.
The cash is part of the Government’s £950m Rapid Charging Fund, which the Government first announced in 2020 and will cover a portion of the costs of upgrading the electricity grid at successful motorway service areas.
DfT technology and decarbonisation minister Anthony Browne said: ‘This is an important next step in our journey to net zero, and demonstrates the Government’s commitment to help the private sector expand our charging network.’
The DfT said the pilot, which is being delivered by National Highways, will help gather evidence to inform the design of a full fund that addresses the need for a highly visible and dependable longer-distance charging network.
It also launched a 10-week consultation seeking views on where chargers are needed most.
The Transport Secretary is bragging about funding for electric charging
— Louise Haigh (@LouHaigh) December 6, 2023
Let's look closer at this 'announcement' ????
1) It's only 7% of £950m in promised funding
2) From a fund that was first promised *3.5 years ago*
How many more years will drivers have to wait for the rest? https://t.co/JUKqsK1TXy
Alex Robertson, chief executive at the watchdog Transport Focus, described the announcement as ‘good news for drivers’.
He said: ‘When we talk to people with EVs it’s clear that they want the charging infrastructure to keep pace with the number of electric vehicles on the road. This will clearly help.’
Ralph Palmer of Transport & Environment said the announcement ‘feels long overdue’.
He said: ‘The rapid charging fund was announced over two years ago now and the accompanying consultation should have happened a long time ago.
‘This is just another step that means we’re still yet to see the full rollout of the £950m fund, which is crucial in securing grid upgrades and rapid chargers along UK motorways and main roads.’
