Pilot scheme to upgrade electrical capacity at motorway services

The Department for Transport has announced a £70 million pilot scheme fund to help motorway service areas upgrade electrical network capacity for ultra-rapid electric vehicle (EV) charge points.

A pilot scheme which will see 10 trial sites in England get a boosted and future-proofed electrical network capacity through the government's rapid charging fund (RCF), which will cover a portion of the costs of upgrading the electricity grid at successful motorway service areas.

Technology and Decarbonisation Minister, Anthony Browne, said: "This is an important next step in our journey to net zero and demonstrates the government’s commitment to help the private sector expand our charging network."

The pilot, which is being delivered by National Highways, will help gather evidence to inform the design of a full fund.

It is open to motorway service area operators in England only and applications are open until 31 January 2024.

The government has also launched of a 10-week rapid charging fund consultation, seeking views from a range of stakeholders, including chargepoint operators, motorway service area operators and electricity suppliers, on where chargers are needed most and how best to design a future Rapid Charging Fund (RCF).