Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 8
8
Accepted
LEVI programme struggles to address inequalities; operators favour commercially viable areas
Conclusion
However, the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority reported to us that while the LEVI programme is attempting to mitigate broader regional inequalities, operators bidding for these contracts are still likely to focus on more commercially viable areas within regions. It explained that rural areas tend to be less financially viable, with individuals having to travel further to reach public charge points. As a result, further public intervention may be needed to support adequate charging in these areas.11
Government Response Summary
The government agrees and states the recommendation is implemented, detailing how LEVI funding allocation already uses a needs-based approach incorporating variables like rurality and deprivation to address areas less commercially viable for private sector provision. It commits to taking a similar approach for any future interventions.
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
1.1 The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. Recommendation implemented: April 2025 1.2 The department currently produces quarterly statistics on electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure which breaks down chargepoint provision by local authority. As part of these releases, statistics on the number of charging devices per 100,000 population are produced which shows the relative provision of local authorities, accounting for the number of residents. This data allows ongoing monitoring and assessment of sub-regional variability. 1.3 Sub-regional need was a guiding principle when allocating Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (LEVI) funding. Four variables were used to assess need and allocate funding to local authorities. The number of public charging devices per 100,000 was included in the allocation model to capture existing levels of charging infrastructure across the country. The estimated number of vehicles without off-street parking was included to reflect the increased need for public charging in areas with a heavier reliance on the public charging network. The relative level of deprivation across England and the level of rurality were also included in the funding allocation calculation. These variables were included as areas with more rural households and greater levels of deprivation are less likely to present a positive commercial case for private sector provision. 1.4 The government will look to take a similar needs-based approach to any interventions required in future. The government will also pay close attention to outcomes from early LEVI Fund procurements and their impact on sub-regional variability and use these in the design of future interventions.