Blueprint for rapid EV charging network unveiled

The government has set a target that every motorway service area in England will have six high-powered electric vehicle (EV) chargepoints by 2023.

The target has been set out in a new policy paper, released today (14 May) by the Department for Transport, which sets out the government’s vision for the development of a rapid chargepoint network.

This sets out a goal that each services should have “at least” six open access 150 to 350 kw capable chargepoints, rising to 12 at larger sites.

Each of these chargepoints, it says, will be capable of charging up to three times faster than most of those currently in place, delivering around 120-145 miles of range in just 15 minutes for a typical EV.

It says this level of provision should be “more than capable” of meeting demand from EVs on England’s motorway network by 2023.

The document says the government is planning for around 2,500 high-powered chargepoints across England’s motorways and major A roads by 2030 and 6,000 by 2035.

The rollout of the motorway chargepoints will be supported by the £500 million Rapid Charging Fund, announced in March’s Budget, which is designed to help where the electrical connection costs of upgrading sites to meet future charging demand are not commercially viable.

The chargepoints, which are designed to reassure motorists that they will be able to top up their EVs while driving long distances, will be accessible to all drivers and models of EVs, states the vision.

Commenting on the announcement Renewable Energy Association(REA) chief executive Dr Nina Skorupska said: “This is an important moment for the UK’s electric vehicle sector, one which should give confidence to investors, fleets, and individual drivers alike. Rapid charging is a crucial part of the overall network that the industry is building, and complements the slower chargers currently being installed en-masse on-street, in businesses, and in homes across the country. Ensuring consumer choice in where, how, and with whom drivers charge is a key part of this major technology change.

“Equally important as the vision for the number of chargers is the government’s comments on how chargers need to be easy to use. Consumers should be able to charge simply, and should have the option access data on their charging sessions.”

Welcoming the government’s announcement Randolph Brazier, head of innovation & development at Energy Networks Association said its members, were working with motorway service areas to develop “whole system solutions” that work for customers.

Grant Shapps, secretary of state for transport, said earlier this year that there are currently 2,400 rapid chargers in public locations across the UK.