Almost two thirds (66%) of local authorities do not have any plans to roll out electric vehicle charge points (EVCPs), according to data uncovered by electrical industry trade body ECA.
Using a a freedom of information request (FoI) it found only one third (33%) of local authorities could confirm they had an EVCP strategy in place, and nearly half (48%) said they did not currently operate any EVCPs. Nearly two thirds (60%) have no funds earmarked for EVCPs to be installed in future.
Comments revealed a lack of “joined-up” policy from central government. One local authority representative said: “One of the barriers [to EVCP installation] is the uncoordinated approach – it’s not joined-up enough.”
Luke Osborne, ECA’s energy and emerging technologies solutions advisor, said: “The electrical and building services industry has the potential to build and maintain the green infrastructure we need to deliver Net Zero Carbon by 2050 and make government’s promises a reality.
“But with public interest in electric vehicles reaching an all-time high, the worrying lack of plans to install charge points will seriously hold us back in our pursuit of Net Zero – and stunt the growth of a booming market.
“A key focus for local authorities should be enabling constituents without off-street parking to readily charge with ease.”
ECA has 2,700 member businesses in the electrical contractors’ sector, with a combined turnover of more than £4bn, ranging from SMEs to large, nationwide contracting businesses.
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