Major change to impact two million UK drivers

Millions of motorists without a driveway have been warned to prepare for sweeping changes under a government-backed drive to switch to electric vehicles (EVs).

In a move to accelerate Britain’s green motoring revolution, ministers today pledged that more than 100,000 new electric vehicle chargepoints will be installed across England, targeting those who can’t plug in at home.

The Future of Roads Minister, Lilian Greenwood, visited chargepoints in Exeter to trumpet a major milestone in the rollout, hailing it as a “chargepoint every 29 minutes”.

The announcement came as charging firm Believ confirmed a £300 million investment to deliver 30,000 new units – part of a wider effort that officials say will “support drivers and protect jobs”.

“This government is powering up the EV revolution by rolling out a chargepoint every 29 minutes,” said Ms Greenwood.

“Our support to roll out over 100,000 local chargepoints in England shows we’re committed to making even more progress.”

The plans aim to benefit more than 2 million drivers in England who live in terraced houses or flats and currently struggle to charge EVs near home.

The move comes amid mounting pressure on ministers to deliver on green targets and silence critics who say the UK is still lagging behind in charging infrastructure.

The rollout will be supported by a £381 million Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (LEVI) Fund, helping councils and industry install chargepoints on residential streets, in car parks and at local hubs.

“This is part of our £4 billion investment to support drivers make the switch, while backing British carmakers through international trade deals – creating jobs, boosting investment and securing our future,” Ms Greenwood added.

Critics have previously warned that a lack of convenient and affordable charging is one of the biggest barriers to EV uptake – with many drivers still reluctant to ditch petrol or diesel cars.

Believ CEO Guy Bartlett said: “It’s fantastic to see government and private industry working together to accelerate the EV charging rollout. Collaboratively, we recognise the scale of investment required and the urgency of the need.

"Confidence in EVs will continue to grow as drivers see more infrastructure going into the ground."

Suffolk County Council has become the first local authority to sign a deal with a chargepoint operator under the new system, with many more expected to follow in the coming months.

Officials insist the measures will also deliver real savings for consumers – with claims that charging an EV at home could cost as little as 2p per mile and save drivers up to £1,110 a year.

EVs are also becoming more affordable. Two in five used electric cars now sell for under £20,000, while 29 new models are priced below £30,000. Most offer a range of nearly 300 miles – enough, ministers say, “to get from London to Newcastle on a single charge”.

The government is also seeking to bolster confidence in the EV market by striking trade deals with the US, India and the EU, aiming to safeguard 150,000 jobs in the automotive and steel sectors. This follows a £1 billion investment into a new gigafactory in Sunderland – expected to create 1,000 jobs.

All of this, ministers claim, forms part of a “Plan for Change” to put more money in the pockets of hardworking families while delivering on climate commitments.