New scheme will make it much cheaper to run an electric car in the UK – from 2 pence per mile
Drivers across England are set to benefit as the government has announced a £63 million investment package to supercharge Britain’s electric vehicle infrastructure.
A £25 million scheme for local authorities will expand access to cheaper at-home charging. This will provide access to cheaper household rates, allowing consumers to save up to £1,500 a year compared to running a petrol or diesel car, transforming how thousands of households without driveways power up their electric cars.
The innovative cross-pavement technology will allow cables to run safely beneath pavements, connecting homes directly to parked vehicles, enabling more families to tap into cheaper domestic electricity rates for as little as 2 pence per mile, even if they don’t have a driveway.
The fund is the latest move to bolster the UK’s growing charging network, which has reached a record 82,000 public chargepoints, with a further 100,000 expected to be installed as a result of the government’s Local EV Infrastructure Fund and £6 billion of private investment committed to 2030.
To ensure the savings the EV transition can bring are felt in the public sector too, the NHS in England is also receiving a major sustainability upgrade with an £8 million fund to power the electrification of ambulances and medical fleets across over 200 NHS sites, saving millions in costs which can be invested into patient care.
Expanding the charging network
To help EV drivers plug into the rapidly expanding charging network, the government is modernising EV charging signage on major roads. EV charging hubs have more than doubled since the beginning of 2023, and immediate changes will allow larger EV charging hubs to be signposted from major A-roads for the first time.
Alongside the boosts for electric car drivers, the government is also launching a major new grant scheme to help businesses install charging points at depots nationwide, supporting the nation’s heavy goods vehicles, vans and coach drivers in the transition to zero emissions.
“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,” said Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander.
“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,” she said.
