A number of new measures are being set out to deal with the roll out of new electric vehicle chargers across the UK ahead of an anticipated boost in EV sales.
Following a public consultation, the Government has announced that it will proceed with proposals to improve the scale of EV charger installation and make it easier for charge point operators to rollout devices at a faster pace.
The consultation, which ran between February and April this year, proposed that instead of applying for licences, charge point operators should be given access to permits to install chargers.
When parliamentary time allows, legislation will be amended to allow access for EV chargepoint operators to street works permits and Street Manager.
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Charge point operators will now have greater access to install new devices
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It will also clarify that only permits are needed and that there is no need for any additional licences under S115E of the Highways Act 1980.
Street Manager allows companies to apply for street and road work permits, assess permits, record inspections and add reinstatements (after work has been completed).
The proposals stem from the previous Conservative Government’s Plan for Drivers which aimed to boost the uptake of new electric vehicles through a greater number of chargers.
It comes as the Office for Zero Emission Vehicles published a new policy paper to improve the grid connection process for EV charging infrastructure.
It stated that it had been working with the wider industry to understand the barriers to obtaining grid connections.
The review also analysed the impact of electric vehicle charging infrastructure on the grid, prompting the identification of seven “action areas”. These include:
- Energisation of chargepoint assets
- Increased accessibility and streamlining of the connection offer process
- Standing charges
- Providing a forward look of investment to distribution network operators (DNOs)
- Land access/wayleaves
- Consenting
- Continued monitoring and evaluation.
The Government stated that it would continue to monitor the progress of the new measures and identify any issues with the continued rollout. It will also consider whether further policy intervention is required.
The expectation of the new policy is for charge point operators and distribution network operators to see the process for grid connections improve.
It is hoped these changes will assist in the rollout of EV chargers across the country and streamline the connection process for EV chargers.
According to the latest data from Zapmap, there are more than 72,500 charging devices around the UK, with 1,135 new chargers added last month.
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It is hoped the new measures will accelerate the installation of new EV chargers
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The UK aims to have 300,000 chargers installed across the country by the end of the decade to help drivers have confidence in making the switch to electric vehicles.
This comes ahead of the proposed deadline of 2030 to ban the sale of new petrol and diesel cars, although hybrid sales may be allowed until 2035, under plans in a new consultation.
A ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars by the end of the decade is seen as a vital measure to help the UK achieve net zero goals.
