Challenges to EV Infrastructure in Race to 300,000 Charge Points by 2030

An electric car plugged into an Ubitricity lamppost EV charging point in central London on March 5, 2021. John Walton/PA Wire

As Britain accelerates its shift towards electric vehicles (EVs), the progress and challenges to a robust and accessible charging infrastructure has become a focal point.

The ambition to deliver 300,000 public charge points by 2030 was set by the previous Conservative government.

As Labour came to power, it vowed to “accelerate the roll-out of charge points” and phase out new petrol or diesel cars by 2030. Under the zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) transition, all new cars and vans will need to be 100 percent zero emission by 2035.

The plans, if successful, will increase the demand for proportionate and affordable EV infrastructure, as well as diverse options for charging.

As of January, there were 73,334 public charging devices, up from 53,677 a year earlier. However, the increase of 37 percent for 2024 marked a slower rollout, compared to 45 percent in 2023.

According to the public spending watchdog, the National Audit Office (NAO), more needs to be done to ensure “adequate coverage” in all parts of the UK.

While the overall number of charge point installations is on track, NAO said several challenges hindering the development of the charging infrastructure.

These include uneven regional distribution, insufficient supply in rural areas and on motorways and delays caused by slow and expensive processes for planning permissions and grid connections.

“Consumers have numerous concerns over using public charge points, which government has put in place regulation to address. These concerns include complexity in using charge points, with operators having different ways to pay; pricing being unclear or unduly expensive; and malfunctioning or inoperative charge points,” the NAO report said.

Types of Chargers and Government Schemes

EV chargers come in several types, each suited for different needs.

Slow chargers can take up to 12 hours for a full charge and are ideal for homes and workplaces. Rapid chargers, deliver power at between 50-100kW, while ultra-rapid chargers deliver power at 100kW or more.

As of October, there are around 14,000 rapid or ultra-rapid chargers in the UK which can be found in car parks, shopping centres, and motorways.

According to the British automotive services company RAC, charging at home is always preferable to relying on the public network.

“You’re guaranteed a full charge and can save energy on the move by preheating or cooling the car’s cabin using the preconditioning function,” the advice reads.

A Hyundai Ioniq electric vehicle charges at an Ionity GmbH electric car charging station at Skelton Lake motorway service area in Leeds, England, on April 26, 2022. Christopher Furlong/Getty Images

Several government schemes to support the expansion of EV charging infrastructure are available to motorists.

Over 75 percent of the 9.3 million households without off-street parking do not have access to a public charger within a five-minute walk, according to analysis by Field Dynamics.

The Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (LEVI) Fund supports local authorities in England with charging infrastructure for these households.

Through the LEVI fund, the Department for Transport (DfT) aims to install at least 100,000 charge points. However, there are concerns about delays caused by the longer-than-expected development of local authority plans.

Other government schemes provide grants to businesses to install EV chargers at workplaces. The Workplace Charging Scheme and the Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Grant, both ending in March, cover up to 75 percent of costs and include caps on socket prices and numbers.

Local authorities can access government funding schemes and form partnerships to develop charging strategies and deliver better EV charging services.

In December, London Councils partnered with the procurement specialist Proactis to launch a new system to make it easier for suppliers to bid for contracts and for local authorities to manage their purchasing needs.

However, the effectiveness of such initiatives can vary across the country, leading to inconsistent EV infrastructure development across regions.

Regional Disparities and Accessibility

The uneven distribution of charging infrastructure poses a significant challenge to the government’s ZEV transition plans.

Some 44 percent of public charge points are in London and the South-East, while only 15 percent in England are in rural areas. According to NAO, London accounts for the biggest number of charge points per capita than any other region.

Data by Zapmap, the UK’s leading charge point mapping service, show that Greater London accounts for more than 22,000 points, compared to 9,494 in the southeast and 6,490 in the West Midlands.

Wales and Northern Ireland account for 3,127 and 680 charge points respectively.

Drivers covering longer distances may experience what is known as “charging anxiety,” when they are not certain about the availability of charge points on longer journeys.

In 2020, the government set a target for six ultra-rapid charge points to be installed at every motorway service area in England by 2023, relying on the private sector to deliver this goal. However, as of July 2024, only 62 percent of service areas have achieved this target.

A British Gas electric van charges at a Motor Fuel Group (MFG) EV Power forecourt in Manchester, England, on Nov. 18, 2022. Christopher Furlong/Getty Images

The National Grid has said it is working to ensure ultra-rapid EV chargers are placed along major roads, so drivers are always within 30 miles of one.

“This will give drivers confidence that their main—or only—car can be electric,” the company said.

Another point of concern, according to NAO, is the accessibility of charging infrastructure for drivers with disabilities.

“These include charge points placed on kerbs, with nearby obstructions, or those closely spaced together, presenting difficulties for wheelchair users,” the watchdog said.

Costs and Manufacturers

The cost of charging an EV at a public charge point varies depending on the network and the location. Many local authorities offer a pay-per-session approach for on-street chargers.

In December 2024, the weighted average pay-as-you-go price was 53p/kWh for slow chargers and 80p/kWh for rapid and ultra-rapid chargers.

Currently, VAT on public charging is set at 20 percent, compared to just 5 percent for private home charging, creating a disadvantage for those without access to home charging. Many drivers rely on apps to find preferential rates and manage costs.

Businesses can claim back VAT on charging, if they are the sole proprietor and charge EVs at home for business purposes.

Companies with employees who use electric vehicles for both business and personal purposes will need to keep receipts or maintain records to distinguish between business and personal use.

The automotive industry remains committed to delivering the ZEV mandate, achieving record levels of EV registrations in 2024. However, the Society of Motor Manufacturers & Traders (SMMT) has reported a lag in the adoption of EVs by private consumers, despite manufacturer discounts.

Last year, just one in 10 private consumers switched to an EV, with petrol by far the “dominant powertrain” for those buyers, according to SSMT.

Adding to the challenges, the slowdown in the rollout of public charge points last year has further delayed the transition.

“The ZEV Mandate requires 28 percent of UK car sales by brand be EV this year—a 46 percent uplift over 2024. Charge point roll out needs to at least match this increase, moreover exceed it if it is to get ahead of need and give would-be EV buyers confidence,” said SMMT chief executive Mike Hawes.

Based on current figures, the UK will need to install around 3,700 charging points every month across the country to meet the government’s 300,000 goal.

PA Media contributed to this report.