Households without driveways are set to gain access to electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure as part of a new £63 million investment package designed to "supercharge" Britain's transition to electric transport.
The Department for Transport (DfT) announced on Sunday, 13 July, a £25 million local authority scheme utilising innovative cross-pavement technology as part of this comprehensive investment. This technology enables charging cables to run safely beneath pavements, connecting homes directly to parked vehicles on the street.
The government believes the scheme will significantly expand access to cheaper at-home charging infrastructure and could save consumers up to £1,500 annually compared to running a petrol or diesel car. Families without driveways will benefit from cheaper domestic electricity rates, with charging costs as low as 2 pence per mile.
The public sector is also set to benefit substantially from the investment, with thousands of chargepoints planned for business depots across the UK. The NHS is receiving £8 million to electrify ambulances and medical fleets across more than 200 NHS sites, supporting the health service's environmental commitments whilst reducing operational costs.
This latest investment builds upon the £400 million already committed to charging infrastructure, which has helped the UK reach a record 82,000 public chargepoints. A further 100,000 are expected to be installed through the government's Local EV Infrastructure Fund, supported by £6 billion of private investment committed through to 2030.
The investment represents a significant step towards making electric vehicle ownership accessible to all households, regardless of their housing situation, whilst supporting Britain's net-zero ambitions and creating thousands of green jobs across the country.
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said: "Our investment is about more than just charging points – it's about charging up Britain's economy.
"I'm proud that through this boost, we are helping deliver cheaper bills for families, massive savings for the NHS to reinvest in patient care, and thousands of new green jobs."
Vicky Read, CEO of ChargeUK added: "With 82,000 public charge points already installed across the UK, this positive action on strategic road signage will help more drivers see the extensive charging network that's rapidly being built across the country.
"This has been a priority for our industry and will boost consumer confidence in making the switch to electric vehicles."