Parliamentary Report Warns of Gaps in UK EV Charging Strategy
The UK’s transition to electric vehicles (EVs) is progressing, with approximately 73,000 public charge points expected to be installed by early 2025. This trajectory supports the Department for Transport’s (DfT) ambition to reach 300,000 public charge points by 2030. However, a recent report by the House of Commons Committee of Public Accounts identifies a number of significant challenges that could hinder equitable and timely EV adoption across the country.
Key issues highlighted:
1. Regional Disparities in Charge Point Distribution
The report highlights that 43% of the UK’s public charge points are located in London and the South East, leaving many other regions—particularly rural and less affluent areas—comparatively underserved. The Committee warns that this imbalance risks creating a two-tier system, where access to EV infrastructure—and by extension, the feasibility of owning an electric vehicle—is heavily influenced by geography.
2. Delays in Ultra-Rapid Charging Implementation
The Committee notes that the DfT had set a target for all motorway service areas to host at least six ultra-rapid charge points by 2023. Yet, as of early 2025, only 80 out of 114 service areas meet this requirement. Furthermore, the report criticises the lack of progress in deploying the £950 million Rapid Charging Fund, which remains unallocated five years after its launch. The Committee views these delays as a barrier to creating a robust, reliable nationwide charging network, particularly for long-distance EV travel.
3. Challenges in Local Authority Support Programs
The report acknowledges that programmes like the Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (LEVI) scheme have shown promise in enabling local authorities to take an active role in infrastructure rollout. However, it also finds that the Department initially expected local authorities to progress rapidly—an assumption that did not align with on-the-ground capacity.
As of October 2024, only 10 out of 78 LEVI projects had been approved for delivery, despite a procurement deadline of March 2025. The report warns that these delays could lead to a wave of simultaneous procurements, increasing the risk that the supply chain will be unable to meet demand. This raises the prospect of failed procurements and further rollout delays. The Committee stresses that sustained support from the Department will be vital to avoid bottlenecks and ensure long-term programme success.
4. Accessibility and Cost Disparities
According to the report, accessibility remains a critical concern. Many charge points lack the features required to accommodate drivers with disabilities, and while the Department has helped to develop an accessibility standard, the Committee concludes that clearer implementation guidance is still needed for charge point operators and local authorities.
In addition, the Committee draws attention to cost disparities between public and private charging. Public charging often incurs 20% VAT, compared to just 5% for domestic electricity use. This discrepancy particularly affects those without access to off-street parking, who rely on public infrastructure. The report suggests that these users face disproportionately higher costs, which may deter uptake and exacerbate inequality in EV adoption.
Recommendations to Strengthen the UK’s EV Infrastructure
In response to these challenges, the Committee outlines a series of recommendations aimed at ensuring the UK’s charging infrastructure develops in a way that is inclusive, efficient, and future-ready. It calls on the Department to address regional and sub-regional disparities, ensure continued support for local authorities through programmes like LEVI, and accelerate deployment of ultra-rapid charging on the strategic road network.
The report also urges the Department to monitor the effectiveness of newly introduced regulations, review the cost implications of public charging—including VAT treatment—and ensure that accessibility standards are properly embedded across all infrastructure rollouts. Furthermore, it recommends the development of a clear long-term vision for a cohesive and well-functioning national charging network, supported by improved collaboration between the DfT and the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero.
Collectively, the Committee’s findings and recommendations aim to ensure that the UK’s EV infrastructure rollout is not only fit for purpose, but also equitable, inclusive, and aligned with the country’s wider decarbonisation ambitions.
