Labour backs new measures for electric car chargers to break down 'specific installation barriers'

WATCH: The Department for Transport announces measures to make it cheaper to install EV chargers

DEPARTMENT FOR TRANSPORT
Felix Reeves

By Felix Reeves


Published: 12/07/2025

- 10:24

Experts are confident that 300,000 public EV chargers will be installed by the end of the decade

Labour has called on drivers and key industry leaders to inform future policy relating to the spread of electric vehicle chargers around the country.

In the Government's recent spending review, Labour committed £400million in funding to support the rollout of electric vehicle charging infrastructure.


According to EV charging database Zapmap, there are 82,369 charging devices across the UK at more than 40,000 locations.

Experts hope that the UK could see the installation of the 100,000th public charger by the end of the year, although it remains to be seen whether this will happen.

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Electric cars charging

Labour is looking to hear from the EV industry about the continued rollout of EV chargers

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There are still aims for the UK to have 300,000 chargers installed by the end of the decade to meet the anticipated uptake of electric vehicles over the coming years.

Data from Zapmap shows that there are more than 5,500 open-access rapid and ultra-rapid chargers within one mile of the strategic road network.

This includes more than 1,100 chargers at motorway service areas, a number which has more than tripled over the last three years.

The Office for Zero Emission Vehicles acknowledges that the public charging network will continue to grow over the coming years as more electric vehicles join the road.

READ MORE: Labour slashes red tape on electric vehicle chargers to save drivers £1,100 a year and 'months of delays'

A new policy paper from OZEV states: "In line with our ambitions for a zero emission car, van, and heavy goods vehicle fleet, we aim to support industry to deliver visible, reliable, accessible charging infrastructure on the strategic road network ahead of need.

"This includes working with industry and other stakeholders where there are specific barriers to chargepoint installation."

It adds that it will continue to work with the industry to understand the best ways to focus support where it's needed most.

The Office for Zero Emission Vehicles added that it was keen to hear feedback and views from the industry and other stakeholders to ensure the UK's charging network is efficient in its approach.

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Earlier this year, the Government made changes to make it easier for drivers and businesses to install chargers by removing red tape.

The move provides a major boost for people wanting to switch to an electric car as Labour announced it was scrapping the need to apply for planning permissions.

Commenting on the move, Future of Roads Minister Lilian Greenwood said: "We're cutting down on paperwork to power up the EV revolution so that drivers, businesses and those looking to make the switch will have more chargepoints to power from and less red tape to deal with.

"We continue to make the switch to EVs easier, cheaper and better by investing over £2.3billion to support drivers and back British carmakers through international trade deals – creating jobs, boosting investment and securing our future as part of our Plan for Change."

Public EV charger

There are more than 82,000 electric vehicle chargers around the UK

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The Department for Transport stated that drivers can continue to benefit from savings of up to £1,100 a year compared to the running costs for a petrol or diesel vehicle.

Support from the Government remains through the electric vehicle chargepoint grant, which allows renters and flat owners to save £350 off the cost of installing a charger at their property.

Similarly, the Workplace Charging Scheme provides a £350 discount for up to 40 sockets, while landlords can get £350 off up to 200 grants for flats and houses, or 100 commercial properties like offices.

At the end of 2024, it was estimated to be more than one million EV charge points installed at homes with driveways across the UK.