Recommendation 6

The Department has more to do in planning ahead for the widespread adoption of electric vehicles. The uptake of electric vehicles and rollout of public charge points is expected to increase over the coming years, as new petrol and diesel vehicle sales are phased out. The Department must now determine what actions are needed for the next phase of the rollout in ensuring that the public charging network can meet the needs of all drivers, and not just enthusiastic early adopters of electric vehicles. This includes understanding what challenges might remain in getting to the harder to reach locations and users. The Government recognises that the processes to receive electricity grid connections are unfit for purpose and take too long. Government is working with others to speed this up, but the queue is growing, with competing demands from other activities which may not all be satisfied if grid connections do not accelerate. The Department has made changes to simplify planning processes, but there remain bottlenecks, such as changes to traffic regulation orders, which will take longer to address. Wider aspects to support the transition such as considering the charge point demand created by new roads investment and ensuring the fire safety of vehicles will also need addressing. Not all major road schemes deliver more charging points and more co–ordinated approach between the Department of Transport and Department for Energy Security and Net Zero could improve this. 7 recommendation As part of its Treasury Minute Response, the Department should set out: a. How it is developing its vision for a well–functioning public charging network, and the steps it will need to take next to ensure the network develops in the way intended. This should include how traffic regulation orders about dedicated parking bays for electric vehicles could be simplified. b. How it will improve coordination with the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero to ensure all major road schemes deliver