Britain’s energy market regulator Ofgem will install over 3500 electric chargers across the UK as part of a £40 billion investment plan in green energy infrastructure.
Some 1800 new ultra-rapid chargers will be installed at motorway service areas and key trunk roads, tripling the current network. A further 1750 chargers will be rolled out in towns and cities.
The investment will be delivered in the next two years and is part of a much bigger plan to ensure Britain has the energy infrastructure it needs to support the move to low carbon transport and heating while maintaining secure supplies. The magnitude of this investment is expected to be in the order of over £40 billion through Ofgem’s regulation of energy networks.
Every region in Britain will benefit from today’s announcement, with 204 net zero projects worth £300.5 million across England, Scotland and Wales. These shovel-ready, low carbon projects start this year, supporting clean transport and heat, and opening up local electricity grids to take on more low carbon generation.
While electric car ownership is on the rise, Ofgem research has found that 36% of households that do not intend to get an electric vehicle are put off making the switch over a lack of charging points near their home. An extensive motorway charging network and more charging points in cities and train stations will help address this ‘range anxiety’, so Ofgem is accelerating investment to boost charge point installation.
Cities like Glasgow, Kirkwall, Warrington, Llandudno, York and Truro will benefit from increased network capacity to support more ultra-rapid charge points, increased renewable electricity generation and the move to more electric heating for homes and businesses. Investment also covers more rural areas with charging points for commuters at train stations in North and Mid Wales and the electrification of the Windermere ferry.
Britain will ban the sale of new petrol and diesel cars from 2030 as part of its goal of cutting emissions to net zero by 2050. But as drivers switch from petrol and diesel to electric, Britain’s cables, substations and other infrastructure need a massive upgrade to support new demand for electricity.
