As England and Wales go to the polls, it’s been revealed that UK motorists don’t feel their local council is doing enough to help the switch to electric vehicles.
Just 30 per cent say motorists who own or want to own an EV are supported by their local council, new research from car brand Vauxhall has found.
This comes as many drivers turn out to vote in local and mayoral elections on Thursday 2 May.
Vauxhall has found that only 30 per cent of motorists feel supported in the switch to EVs by their local authorities
Some 75 per cent of UK drivers are depending on their Local Authorities to be the main driving force behind installing accessible on-street charging – devices located on residential streets only – to meet demand and increase EV ownership.
Yet, despite the government’s push towards zero emissions driving, the majority of motorists reported that charging infrastructure has dropped off the political agenda.
Only 25 per cent of the 2,000 drivers surveyed by Vauxhall had noticed issues around EV charging infrastructure playing a role in the political manifestos and canvassing of local candidates.
London is the only place in the UK where voters feel their council is supporting the switch to zero emissions driving
Many voters believe better charging options are needed, with fewer than one-in-10 drivers reporting to Vauxhall that they are happy with on-street charging in their area.
Satisfaction rates were even lower in some parts of Britain, with just four per cent of respondents in Wales happy with their local on-street charging.
London was found to be the only region of the country where the majority of motorists (60 per cent) say EV drivers are supported by their local council.
England’s capital was also the only area where over 50 per cent of drivers noticed issues around EV infrastructure playing a role in political campaigning ahead of local elections.
On-street charging provision is vital for the 40 per cent of drivers who don’t have access to a driveway and are reliant on on-street charging.
On-street charging is vital for the 40 per cent of drivers who don’t have a driveway and can’t charge at home
Installation of UK public charging device since 2015 has been substantial but critics say it’s not keeping pace with EV adoption or government ambitions.
This report comes as the Department for Transport’s released its April 2024 Electric vehicle public charging infrastructure statistics.
As of 1 April, there were 59,670 public EV charging devices installed in the UK – an increase of 11 per cent since 1 January. 5,993 new devices have been installed in total since the start of the year.
Some 37 per cent (22,199) of all the UK’s chargers are designated as ‘on street’ chargers, while the other 46 per cent (27,583) are ‘destination chargers’.
Destination charging devices are located at the end of an EV journey or a place where a driver will stop for an extended period – such as car parks, leisure centres, restaurants and hotels.
Compared to 1 April 2023, there’s been a 49 per cent increase in a year, with 19,520 new charging devices installed.
Sainsbury’s launched its own electric car charging brand in January, becoming the first supermarket in the UK to introduce and run its own EV charging network
The DfT found an overall rise in the number of public charging devices in all regions of the UK.
But, as also laid bare by Vauxhall, the DfT reports ‘an uneven geographical distribution of charging devices within the UK’.
The DfT also attributes this to local council failure, as ‘some UK local authorities have bid for UK government funding for charging devices, and others have not’.
In July 2023 Vauxhall’s Electric Streets of Britain campaign found that more than 70 per cent (71.6) of UK councils do not currently have a published strategy in place for the installation of residential on-street charging.
Vauxhall submitted a Freedom of Information request to 414 councils and local authorities across the UK, of which 298 responded.
At the time Vauxhall found that 69 per cent of local authorities have yet to install any on-street residential charge points.
Public charging devices by destination of charging device 1 April 2024
After London, Scotland leads the UK with the best provision of public chargers per 100,000 people, with Dundee (pictured) one of the leading EV cities in Europe
As the DfT report shows all regions in the UK are benefiting from increased public charging, so local authorities falling short on providing on-street chargers doesn’t mean that residents won’t have access to any public charging.
Instead, private companies are having to pick up the slack, stepping in to help residents who feel abandoned in EV efforts by their local councils.
The DfT confirms in its April report ‘that most of the provision of this infrastructure has been market-led, with individual charging networks and other businesses (such as hotels) choosing where to install devices’.
Public charging devices per 100,000 of population by UK country and region: 1 April 2024
Counties with a large number of rural residents tend to have a lower number of publics charging devices per 100,000 people than urban areas
Recent figures show London is predictably miles ahead with the availability of public chargers.
DfT and ZapMap data shows London has 221 public charging devices per 100,000 people, ahead of the UK average of 89/100,000.
Scotland is also leading Britain with 93 devices per 100,000.
The North West and the Humber lag behind on 53/100,000, while Northern Ireland has the worst rate with just 29 chargers per 100,000.
James Taylor, managing director, Vauxhall, said: ‘Electric vehicle charging infrastructure is just one of many concerns that should be discussed in great detail ahead of this year’s local and mayoral elections.
‘While recent figures show charge point numbers are increasing, our latest research highlights how drivers are increasingly reliant on their Local Authorities to make sure infrastructure needs are being met.
‘We hope to see local councils listening to these drivers who are reliant on their support to provide confidence and ensure motorists across the country feel they can join the electric transition efficiently and safely.’
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