EV drivers set to see a boost in number of chargepoints across the country

The £381 million Local Electric Vehicle (LEVI) fund will provide to councils across the UK, where they can choose where it is best to install EV chargepoints for drivers.

Following the funding announcement, 44 councils have currently taken advantage of £185 million to give more places to charge EVs.

Technology and Decarbonisation Minister, Anthony Browne, said: “This government has a plan to help speed up the installation of EV chargepoints, which we’re getting on and delivering.

“This dedicated funding to local councils is part of our plan to ensure people can switch from a petrol or diesel car to an EV when they choose to do so.”

Minister for Affordability and Skills Amanda Solloway continued: “This funding will make it easier for people to switch to electric vehicles.

“By bolstering our public charging network, we are not only making electric vehicles more accessible, but also driving the transition towards a cleaner, greener future.”

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For many homeowners with EVs, getting a chargepoint at home or nearby has proven challenging.

As a result, the Government has revealed that in order to further support electric vehicle drivers looking to make the switch to electric, new legislation is in place to ensure ‘households without driveways or dedicated parking spaces can access the electric vehicle chargepoint grant’.

In fact, the Plan for Drivers, which aimed to improve the lives of drivers across the country, has resulted in a renewed commitment to EV owners.

As a part of today’s announcement, the £350 EV drivers grant will be widened to those who own or rent and have access to adequate street parking.

According to the Government: “The funding will drive down the cost of EV ownership by providing up to 75% off the cost of purchasing and installing a chargepoint, and applicants must also have permission from their council to install a cross-pavement charging solution.”

Applications to receive a grant can be made online at the gov.co.uk website.

Will this grant help you make the switch to electric? Or if you already currently own an electric vehicle – is this the sort of support that is needed to help grow the number of EVs on the road? And what other challenges currently remain?