Britain’s network of 'ultra rapid' vehicle chargers is set to treble in size as part of a £300M investment in low carbon projects announced by the energy regulator Ofgem.
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Under the plan, the 918 ultra rapid chargers currently available in the UK will be boosted by a further 1800 at 39 motorway service areas over the next two years. A further 1750 charge points will be installed in towns and cities.
Research by Ofgem has found that 36% of households are put off purchasing an electric vehicle over a lack of charging points close to their home. It is hoped that a more extensive network of rechargers will help address so called ‘range anxiety’.
Chief executive Jonathan Brearley said that the take up of electric vehicles is “vital if Britain is to hit its climate change targets”.
Transport Minister Rachel Maclean said there are more than 500,000 electric cars on UK roads and the announcement “will help increase this number even further as drivers continue to make the switch to cleaner, greener vehicles.”
Motoring group the RAC’s spokesman Simon Williams described the announcement as “excellent news”. He added: “Widespread availability of faster charging facilities will help to give more drivers the confidence to go electric.”
Ofgem’s research also says that almost one in four motorists plans to buy an electric or plug in hybrid vehicle in the next five years, but adds that 38% say they are unlikely to do so in that timeframe. It also found that nearly six in 10 people think the price of an electric vehicle is too high.
Yesterday the Transport Select Committee launched a survey asking drivers what they think about buying an electric vehicle, in order to identify any barriers to uptake for its inquiry into zero emission vehicles.
This follows criticism of the Government last week by the Public Accounts Committee that it lacks a clear plan for delivering on ambitions to phase out polluting vehicles.
(Photograph: Zapp2Photo - Shutterstock)
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