Boost for electric vehicle industry with £10m funding for chargepoints

The government has announced the doubling of funding for on-street chargepoints in a bid to boost the electric vehicle ‘revolution’.

The Department for Transport and Office for Low Emission Vehicles are set to double funding to £10m for residential electric vehicle chargepoints.

The funding could create up to 3,600 chargepoints across the country, aiming to make charging at home and overnight easier for those without an off-street parking space.

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said: “We want to make electric cars the new normal, and ensuring drivers have convenient places to charge is key to that.

“By doubling funding again for chargepoints on streets where people live and opening up data we are helping drivers easily locate and use affordable, reliable chargepoints whether at home or on the road.”

Future of Transport Minister George Freeman added: “The new government is accelerating UK leadership in digitalisation and decarbonisation through our future of transport strategy.

“Supporting the smart use of open data for new apps to help passengers and drivers plan journeys, and to reduce congestion and pollution, is key.

“Comprehensive chargepoint data is crucial for mapping charging hotspots and notspots for consumers, to help to drive forward the electric vehicle revolution.”