Electric vehicle drivers are set to benefit from a £37m funding boost that will see the roll-out of thousands of new domestic and on-street chargepoints as well as new charging facilities at railway stations.

The new funding package announced in February comes from the government’s £400m commitment to increase the uptake of ultra-low emission vehicles and provide 75% of the cost of installing new chargepoints.

Mike Baunton, SMMT (Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders) Interim Chief Executive said, “SMMT and its members are pleased to see government investing in the infrastructure for low and ultra-low carbon vehicles that will help strengthen the use of this technology in the UK. It is essential that there is a joined-up approach to supporting the users of plug-in vehicles by government, local authorities, infrastructure providers and the automotive industry so that motorists can experience the benefits of electric vehicle technology.”

Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin said, “This investment underlines government’s commitment to making sure that the UK is a world leader in the electric car industry. Plug-in vehicles can help the consumer by offering a good driving experience and low running costs, they can help the environment by cutting pollution and, most importantly of all, they can help the British economy by creating skilled manufacturing jobs in a market that is bound to get bigger.”

The full package includes:

• Up to £13.5 million for a 75% grant for homeowners in the United Kingdom wishing to have a domestic chargepoint installed.

• An £11 million fund for local authorities in England to:

• Install on-street charging for residents who buy or already have a plug-in vehicle but do not have off-street parking – authorities can apply for up to 75% of the cost of installing a chargepoint.
• Provide up to 75% of the cost of installing rapid chargepoints in their areas around the strategic road network.
• Up to £9 million available to fund the installation of chargepoints at railway stations.

• Up to £3 million to support the installation of chargepoints on the government and wider public estate by April 2015.

• A commitment to review government buying standards (mandatory for central government departments) to lower the fleet average CO₂/km of new cars and encourage the uptake of plug-in vehicles in central government.

Source: FEDEMAC