More than 1,000 new electric vehicle chargepoints will be installed across nine local authorities in the UK to provide improved access to electric vehicle charging infrastructure.

It’s part of a new pilot backed by £20 million of government and industry funding which is delivered through the Local EV Infrastructure (LEVI) pilot scheme.

The scheme sees local authorities and industry collaborating to create new, commercial EV charging infrastructure for drivers. These range from faster on-street chargepoints to larger gas station-style charging hubs.

The government says the scheme will help those electric car and van drivers that do not have a private driveway or workplace charging to more easily access a chargepoint.

Meryem Brassington, electrification propositions lead at the UK’s largest leasing provider, Lex Autolease, commented: “If the UK is to lead the way in electrification, then expanding the network of chargepoints is mission critical. Electric vehicle adoption levels are dominating the new car market and for this momentum to continue, drivers need access to widely available charging stations. This is particularly important for motorists without driveways to ensure that they don’t get left behind on the switch to electric.”

The announcement made today (August 24, 2022) comes as lack of infrastructure is still considered a drawback to greater fleet adoption of EVs.

According to Arval’s Mobility Observatory research, companies that had not electrified their fleets pointed to lack of public charging points (50%), no charging solution at an employee’s office (40%), while 35% said there was no charging available at an employee’s home.

Shaun Sadlier, head of Arval Mobility Observatory in the UK, commented:

“Among fleets that are not yet considering the adoption of electric vehicles, there is one predominant concern and that relates to the perceived limitations in the charging facilities currently available. Three of the top four factors mentioned in response to this question all relate to this issue and were reported as a constraint to electrification.”

The funding unveiled today is part of a scheme totaling £450 million. Decarbonisation Minister Trudy Harrison added: “We want to expand and grow our world-leading network of EV chargepoints, working closely with industry and local government, making it even easier for those without driveways to charge their electric vehicles and support the switch to cleaner travel. This scheme will help to level up electric vehicle infrastructure across the country.”

 The winners of the pilot fund are:

• Barnet

• Dorset

• Durham

• Kent

• Midlands Connect (with Lincolnshire as a lead authority)

• North Yorkshire

• Nottinghamshire

• Suffolk

• Warrington

In addition to the LEVI fund, the government said that its On-Street Residential Chargepoint Scheme (ORCS) had delivered 2,900 chargepoints with funding provided for a further 10,000 chargepoints.