£63 million to boost EV charging infrastructure

The government has announced a £63 million investment package for the UK’s electric vehicle charging infrastructure.

Part of this includes a £25 million scheme for local authorities to install cross-pavement technology, which involves running infrastructure wires through grooves made into pavements. This will allow more people to safely access cheaper domestic electricity rates for as little as two pence per mile even if they don’t have a driveway. 

£8 million will go towards NHS England to power the electrification of ambulances and medical fleets across over 200 NHS sites, 

Alongside this, the government is also launching a £30m grant scheme to help businesses install charging points at depots nationwide, supporting heavy goods vehicles, vans and coaches to transition to zero emissions.

The government has also committed to modernising EV signs on major roads, to increase accessibility.

Transport secretary Heidi Alexander said: “We are making it easier and cheaper to own an electric vehicle. We know access to charging is a barrier for people thinking of making the switch, so we are tackling that head on so that everyone – whether or not they have a driveway-can access the benefits of going electric.

“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.

“This is what our Plan for Change mission to kickstart Britain’s economy looks like in practice. We’re not just boosting charging infrastructure, we’re building a fairer, cleaner future where every family can benefit from cheaper, green transport, whilst creating thousands of jobs across the country.”

Delvin Lane, CEO of InstaVolt said: “We are pleased that the government has taken the crucial step of delivering official EV charging signage on the strategic road network – a move we believe will improve consumer confidence and bolster EV adoption. This marks a major milestone for the EV industry and drivers across the UK.

“At InstaVolt, we have been relentless in our campaigning and have built a strong, collaborative relationships with the government to push this initiative forward. Our opinion research suggests that the rollout of clear, official signage will make a significant difference – helping EV drivers easily locate public charging points while on the move, and reassuring those considering making the switch to electric vehicles.

“For years, we have emphasised that the UK’s public EV infrastructure, so critical to mass adoption, is already largely in place, and now this signage will finally showcase it to drivers in a visible, accessible way.

“As the UK’s largest ultra-rapid public charging network with over 2,000 chargers nationwide, InstaVolt is proud to be at the forefront of this transformation and excited to see how these signs will accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles.”