The government has unveiled a £63 million funding package to ‘supercharge’ Britain’s electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure.
Broken down, this includes a £25 million scheme for local authorities that will expand access to cheaper at-home charging. Enabling cheaper household rates, consumers will be able to save as much as £1,500 a year when compared to running a petrol or diesel car.
Making use of cross-pavement technology, the at-home charging will see cables running safely beneath pavements, helping homes connect directly to parked vehicles. This will mean more families will be able to tap into cheaper domestic electricity rates – potentially as little as 2p per mile, even if they do not have a driveway.
There is also a substantial package for the NHS in England, with an £8 million fund set to power the electrification of ambulances and medical fleets across 200 NHS sites. This is expected to save millions in costs that can then be reinvested back into patient care.
It is also taking action to modernise EV charging signage on major roads, noting that EV charging hubs have more than doubled since the beginning of 2023. These immediate changes will allow larger EV charging hubs to be signposted from major A-roads for the first time.
Delvin Lane, InstaVolt CEO, described the move as a “major milestone for the EV industry and drivers across the UK”.
Lane continued: “We are pleased that the government has taken the crucial step of delivering official EV charging signage on the strategic road network – a move we believe will improve consumer confidence and bolster EV adoption.”
According to Lane, InstaVolt’s opinion research has shown that official signage can make a “significant difference”. It will help EV drivers to easily locate public charging points while on the move and also help reassure those that are considering making the switch to electric vehicles.
