UK Accelerates EV Charging Accessibility with Grants Covering 75% of Costs

The United Kingdom has unveiled its newest plans to accelerate the construction of thousands of charging points for electric vehicles. Headlining the new plans are grants that cover up to 75% of costs for state-funded schools, nurseries, and academies. Multiple local government units are also set to receive over £14.2 million in funding for EV charging points.

Today, Nottinghamshire's greener schools will receive support from Technology and Decarbonization Minister Anthony Browne. The new grant will cover up to 75% of the cost of purchasing and installing charge points, up to £2,500 per socket-up from the previous £350.

The funding, which the Department sponsors for Transport, is available for state-supported schools, colleges, nurseries, and academies to improve the charge point amenities for employees and guests. It is a component of the Workplace Charging Scheme. Allowing the public to use their charge points might also assist schools in making money.

The school's grant applications are available online, but the announcement states that the academic institutions must have designated off-street parking spaces. Private schools can also apply for the grant via the SMEs Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Grant and the Workplace Charging Scheme.

Applicants are highly encouraged to wait for the voucher code to ensure they are granted the cash incentive. Applicants may apply for grants up to 40 charging points.

UK's efforts prove to be in line with its government goal to achieve zero-emission vehicles by 2035. The zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) requirement, which helps accelerate the development of charge points by giving customers and industry certainty, reportedly mandates that by 2030, 80% of new cars and 70% of new vans sold in Great Britain must be zero-emission vehicles.

Streamlining EV Charging Point Construction

Aside from the grants, local governments around the UK are also receiving the £381 million Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (LEVI) Fund. Three local authorities spanning from East Sussex to North Yorkshire and two London boroughs have been approved for the first capital payments for charging projects.

This reportedly brings the total financing for these locations to over £14.2 million. The money will enable the installation of thousands of additional chargers, guaranteeing that the rollout proceeds quickly to assist drivers nationwide.

UK's other efforts to accelerate EV charging points include streamlining EV charging constructions with permits rather than licenses.

Consultations have also begun removing the 2-meter restriction so that wall-mounted outlets and upstands can be constructed anywhere within an area legally utilized for off-street parking, giving people and organizations who want to install EV charging outlets even more options.

This new announcement follows after the government reportedly set a record number of public electric car chargers built in the UK for 2023. Reports indicate that about 16,000 new public chargers were deployed in the year ending December 12th, bringing the total to over 53,200. Compared to 2022, that is a 43% gain, which is far faster than the past three years.

UK Residents on EV Charging Points

Amidst such an increase, a representative from the public council of Cornwall recently stated that EV charging stations still need to continuously increase over the next ten years in line with the growing number of EV owners.

The local government unit further stated they are seeking recommendations for locations where chargers could be required. They focus on lower-powered "destination" chargers to assist EV drivers without access to home charging and when it is doubtful that the private sector will install its chargers.