Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 6
6
Accepted
Set out vision for public charging network and inter-departmental coordination improvements
Recommendation
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
Government Response Summary
The government detailed its vision for a well-functioning public charging network and committed to digitalising Traffic Regulation Orders (TROs) to simplify dedicated EV parking, with a requirement coming into force later in 2025. It also stated that OZEV, a joint unit, already ensures close coordination between DfT and DESNZ on charge point rollout.
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendations. Recommendation implemented The government’s vision is that all drivers can charge conveniently for both daily and long-distance driving and that there is a compelling, and visible, charging offer for prospective electric vehicle (EV) purchasers. As set out in the report, the UK is on track to meeting a projected need of 300,000 public charging devices by 2030. The clarity on the transition to EVs has catalysed over £6 billion of private sector investment in UK charging infrastructure. The publication on 7 April 2025 of the response to the consultation on phasing out sales of new petrol and diesel cars from 2030 and supporting the ZEV transition shows the government has worked with the industry to both strengthen its commitment to the phase out and introduce practical reforms to support industry to meet this ambition. Going forward there is a key role for government to address challenges ahead by further: simplifying chargepoint installation, ensuring nationwide chargepoint distribution and strong rapid chargepoint coverage and maintaining an accessible public charging experience. Traffic regulation orders (TRO) can enforce and designate EV only, on-street parking bays. The department is digitalising TROs and will require all authorities that use them to send digital copies to a central publication platform that the department is building. This will reduce the time it takes for authorities to make TROs. The digital publication service (D-TRO) has been built and is available for voluntary use and testing. The requirement should come into force later in 2025. The Office for Zero Emission Vehicles (OZEV) is a joint unit between the Department for Transport (DfT) and the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ). The department already works closely with DESNZ to ensure the improved rollout of chargepoints in all market areas. Within DfT, OZEV sits in the Road Transport Group, enabling OZEV to work closely with colleagues to encourage the installation of chargepoints on major road schemes.