ChargeUK

At the ChargeUK autumn reception in Westminster new minister for the future of roads, Lilian Greenwood MP, promised to “support the EV industry not simply to grow but to thrive.”  She told ChargeUK members, “Your industry is already committed to billions of pounds in charging infrastructure investment by 2030 and that’s a huge step. And this government will back you all the way.”  The minister confirmed that the government intends to move the end date for the sale of petrol and diesel vehicles to 2030.   She said, “In 2030 there will be no new cars relying solely on internal combustion engines. That end date not only gives the industry the clarity it needs but also gives consumers the certainty they deserve.”  The minister also echoed ChargeUK calls to go ‘further and faster’ in the roll out of EV charge points and recognised ChargeUK members' work to provide ‘a reliable, accessible and affordable EV charging network’. She said, “We must double down on charging up. We must think about the needs of people without off street parking, we must think about fast tracking the release of funding to local communities to roll out a reliable network of public charge points. Your role at ChargeUK is an important one.”   The members also heard from ChargeUK chair Chris Pateman-Jones and ChargeUK CEO Vicky Read.  Vicky noted that charging provision is in “a good place today and we are on track for tomorrow." Drawing on ChargeUK's recent 'Powering Ahead to 2030' White Paper she explained that there are 930,000 charge points in the UK today – home, work and public - supporting 1.1 million BEVs, close to one charger for every EV on the road today. On average, one public charge point is installed every 25 minutes.  She highlighted the conditions the sector needs to stay on track. “To keep investing billions ahead of demand we need to know there will be a thriving EV market. We need certainty about the number of EVs coming onto our road – these are our customers”  She also highlighted areas in which the government can support the industry and maximise the impact of public and private investment. She said, “The main LEVI fund, three years after it was announced, has only just produced its first few tenders – without tenders, CPOs cannot build the on-street charging we know is desperately needed.”  And she called for action on grid connections, planning and permits to speed up deployment. She said, “The standing charges we pay have risen by up to 1000%, which is having a damaging effect on affordability and investment."   The Westminster reception was attended by ChargeUK members, influencers and stakeholders from across industry, parliament and Whitehall. ChargeUK CEO Vicky Read told the audience, “Drivers need to hear loudly and clearly from everyone in the ecosystem that the charging is there, that gaps are being filled, and that convenient and affordable provision is coming thick and fast."   #evcharging #electricvehicles #transport #politics    

Great to see EVC has had a busy few weeks rolling out charge points the length and breadth of the UK. With now over 70,000 public charge points and counting, ChargeUK’s members are doing their bit in facilitating the transition to EVs. #ChargeUK #EVcharging #EV

Responding to today's Budget, Vicky Read, CEO of ChargeUK said, “Today’s Autumn Budget gave some encouraging signals to investors and consumers that the Labour Government is committed to the UK’s green transport future, but more details are required to give the charging sector the confidence it needs to keep investing at scale. "ChargeUK members have already committed to invest £6 billion of private investment to roll out the infrastructure needed to unlock the UK’s e-mobility future, but public funding has an important role to play. While frustrating that the £950m Rapid Charging Fund (RCF) was not reconfirmed, we welcome the announcement of £200m of public funding for charge points, which we understand is in addition to the existing Local EV Infrastructure Fund. We look forward to discussing how to maximise the impact of that funding with the Government in due course. "However, to really supercharge the UK’s transition to EVs and unlock its full economic potential , the Government needs to shore up the £6bn of private investment in charging and ensure that the switch to EVs is affordable for drivers. Although the Government turned down the chance to equalise VAT on public and home charging, continued support for the EV salary sacrifice scheme and more favourable Vehicle Excise Duty rates for fully electric vehicles are welcome. "The Government must now give the charging sector the certainty it needs by confirming that strong ZEV sales trajectories sit at the heart of its decarbonisation agenda."

A well-informed article by The Car Expert on the “booming growth” in charge points. With currently over 70,000 public charge points and a commitment from ChargeUK’s members to invest £6 billion, the UK is well on track to reach 300,000 by 2030. #ChargeUK #EVcharging #EVs https://lnkd.in/e9U2i_Mi

Tomorrow's Autumn Budget should seize the "economic prize of net zero transport" through investing in charging infrastructure. ChargeUK CEO Vicky Read has outlined how a strong ZEV mandate and continuing the right incentives will keep increasing the pace of the rollout of charging infrastructure.   #ChargeUK #EVcharging #EVs https://lnkd.in/e5jAwBcE

With 48 hours until the Budget, and the Government's Industrial Strategy under consultation, now is the time for our new Government to seize the economic prize of net zero transport. The key to unlocking that prize? Investment in charging infrastructure, because without chargers, the EV transition simply cannot happen. And the key to securing that charging investment? Yes, addressing grid, planning, VAT and other challenges are vital. But above all else charging operators need (i) a strong ZEV mandate, to ensure that an ever increasing number of EVs are made available to drivers and (ii) we need drivers empowered to make the switch, with the right financial incentives (including salary sacrifice) in place and the accurate information about EVs and charging. Read more in the article below

ChargeUK has named Jarrod Birch as its first Head of Policy.   Jarrod will lead efforts to shape the policies needed to boost the UK’s EV charging network at this pivotal moment for the transition, along with our CEO Vicky Read.   We are also delighted to welcome Laura Hardy of GRIDSERVE and Antoine Picron of ChargePoint as new members of the Board. #ChargeUK #EVcharging #EV   https://lnkd.in/e_Rqjs6E

ChargeUK is on the lookout for two more individuals to join our growing organisation. The deadline for applications is this Wednesday, so please apply if interested. Head of Communications - https://lnkd.in/eMaH87fU Executive Assistant/Membership Manager - https://lnkd.in/eKrbuWXT #ChargeUK #EVcharging #EV

It's great to see the progress of the rollout being acknowledged. New analysis by Zapmap and the RAC found the provision of 150kW+ charge points at motorway services has more than doubled in the last eight months - providing confidence to drivers looking to charge on the go.   With now over 70,000 public charge points in total throughout the UK, the charging sector is firmly playing its role in supporting the transition. #ChargeUK #EVcharging #EVs

ChargeUK is looking for two more stand-out individuals to join our growing organisation: a Head of Communications (to help us tell the story of the charging sector) and an Executive Assistant/Membership Manager (to keep us organised and to support and grow our membership). As you’d expect from a start-up organisation representing a high-profile, fast-growing sector, we are looking for two people who are happy to get stuck into a wide variety of activities and willing to go the extra mile to help ChargeUK play its role in the UK’s transition to electric vehicles. Head of Communications - https://lnkd.in/eMaH87fU Executive Assistant - https://lnkd.in/eKrbuWXT