Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 13
13
The scale and reach of the charging infrastructure has grown over the past decade.26 The...
Conclusion
The scale and reach of the charging infrastructure has grown over the past decade.26 The Department for Transport informed us that there are now 20,800 public charge-points in the UK, with 783 new charge-points created in the 30 days before our evidence session in March 2021, 124 of which were rapid.27 The Department told us that its interventions 17 Q 29 18 Q 46 19 C&AG’s Report, para 2.26 20 Qq 46, 53 21 Q 11 22 Q 12 23 Q14; C&AG’s Report, para 2.4, Figure 8 24 Qq 14, 41 25 Q 15 26 Q 31; C&AG’s Report, para 12 27 Qq 12, 31 Low emission cars 11 have been pitched to stimulate more rapid private investment, and achieve a good return and value for public investment. It saw Government’s role in developing the charging infrastructure as spotting market failures and unblocking problems.28
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government
Acknowledged
3: PAC conclusion: We are not convinced that government has sufficiently thought through how the charging infrastructure will expand at the pace required to meet the ambitious timetable to phase out petrol and diesel vehicles. 3: PAC recommendation: The Department for Transport should set out as part of its plan for increasing the use of electric cars, how it intends to address the remaining barriers to expanding the charging network, for example, the availability of chargers where drivers do not have off-street parking. 3.1 The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. Target implementation date: Autumn 2021 3.2 The DfT’s EV infrastructure strategy (autumn 2021) will set out the vision and action plan for market-led charging infrastructure roll out needed to achieve the 2030 and 2035 phase out dates and to accelerate the transition to a zero emission fleet. Planning and delivery of chargers for drivers without off-street parking will be a key focus of the strategy. 3.3 Both the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS) and the DfT are taking steps to tackle remaining barriers and ensure the appropriate charging and energy infrastructure is rolled out. This includes investing £1.3 billion over the next four years to help make charging as easy as refuelling a petrol or diesel car, and through regulations such as improving the consumer experience at public chargepoints. The DfT has also consulted on amending building regulations to require chargepoint installation in new homes, non- residential properties and during major renovations. 3.4 The DfT’s On-street Residential Chargepoint Scheme has a further £20 million funding in 2021, and at the 2020 Spending Review, £90 million was committed to fund local EV infrastructure, in particular to support the roll out of larger on-street charging schemes and rapid hubs in England. 3.5 The government is also working closely with local authorities, encouraging uptake of central government funding and ensuring more widespread regional and local action on the provision of chargepoint infrastructure. 3.6 To share good practice, the DfT has commissioned a guide for local authorities on implementing EV infrastructure in their areas and government has funded the Energy Saving Trust to run a programme to support English local authorities develop strategies to increase the adoption of EVs and promote low carbon travel. 3.7 As above, departments will continue to make the case for government intervention as necessary at the forthcoming 2021 Spending Review.