Call for wider on-street EV charging installation across UK

Motorists from over 11,500 residential streets are urging local councils to install on-street EV charging points, as highlighted by Vauxhall’s Electric Streets of Britain campaign. 

Vauxhall’s initiative was launched back in August 2023, with the hope of addressing the needs of the 40% of UK households without driveway access, crucial since home charging accounts for 80% of EV charging.

Since the campaign’s launch, the company has compiled a database from public submissions, detailing the streets lacking essential charging infrastructure. This resource is intended to guide local councils in developing effective charging strategies. 

Despite a significant public response to the campaign, a Freedom of Information request has revealed that 56.5% of local authorities still lack a published strategy for residential on-street charging.

James Taylor, Managing Director at Vauxhall, stated, “On-street residential charging is critical to the adoption and acceleration of electric vehicles. Thanks to the public, we already know of over 11,000 roads where we need to install on-street chargers today to make it more convenient for EV drivers and remove a barrier for those wanting to switch to electric.”

Vauxhall’s initiative has already identified a demand imbalance, with more registrations in Northern England cities like Leeds, Glasgow, and Sheffield, compared to the South. 

Data from 267 local councils shows over 15,000 on-street chargers are installed, with plans to add 8,000 more in the next year. London boroughs, however, dominate the current infrastructure, stressing the need for a more balanced national distribution.

The campaign has also highlighted broader accessibility issues, noting that only 2.3% of the UK’s on-street EV chargers cater to disabled drivers.