Survey reveals lack of investment in infrastructure for electric vehicles

A survey of UK local authorities into existing and planned infrastructure for electric vehicles (EV) has highlighted a national lack of electric vehicle charging provision, limited capital in budgets to increase or install new charging points and uncertainty around government grant eligibility.

Of the Local Authorities surveyed by JLL in conjunction with the British Parking Association (BPA) over a third (33%) had no EV charge points, 69% did not have the capital in their budgets to increase or install EV points and over a third (36%) didn’t know if they were eligible for government grants towards installation.

Paul Gallagher, Consultant in JLL’s Automotive team, commented: “With the ban on new petrol and diesel cars not far away, this survey highlights the need for urgent investment in infrastructure for new technologies.

“The injection of investment by the government into emerging automotive technologies is welcome. However it needs to be backed up by clear advice to councils about grant applications and available funding for infrastructure, otherwise, how will new technology be able to be used on a wider scale.”

Paul Gallagher added: “Landlords, retailers and investors also need to recognise the opportunities that providing the right infrastructure can bring. For instance, having charging points will also increase dwell time in shopping centres or other locations as consumers buy that extra coffee or pop into another shop while they wait for their car to charge.”

The survey found that there is an average of 0.003 charging points per car parking space and 0.39 per car park.

Regarding future plans for installation, 51% of authorities are planning to increase the number of EV charging points or install new ones, the plans of 16% are dependent upon funding and 34% currently had no plans for new installations.

The survey also revealed heavy imbalances across the country, with 25 authorities having no charging points at all.

The survey follows the recent government announcements that the sale of all new petrol and diesel cars will be banned from 2040 and for investment into the development of electric and driverless vehicles.