02/02/2021 15:03
The Transport Secretary, Grant Shapps, made the announcement today and is urging local councils to take advantage of the £20 million funding to increase the amount of charging points installed across the UK, making accessibility easier for EV drivers. The On-Street Residential Chargepoint Scheme (ORCS) will now continue throughout 2021/2022 thanks to this investment.
Shapps said: “From Cumbria to Cornwall, drivers across the country should benefit from the electric vehicle revolution we’re seeing right now. With a world-leading charging network, we’re making it easier for more people to switch to electric vehicles, creating healthier neighbourhoods and cleaning up our air as we build back greener.”
Many councils have benefited from the ORCS since it started in 2017, and around 4,000 on-street charging points have been installed across the UK.
The funding will possibly double the amount of on-street charging points to a staggering 8,000, giving drivers who do not have access to off-street parking more options to charge their electric vehicle.
The UK is already making progress in the shift to electric vehicles and strategies have been set in place to help achieve the net-zero emission target by 2050, which includes a ban on sales of petrol and diesel cars by 2035.
The Department of Transport is working in partnership with Energy Saving Trust to encourage more local councils to take advantage of this funding.
Nick Harvey, senior programme manager at Energy Saving Trust, said: “The confirmation of £20 million of funding for the ORCS in 2021/22 is great news. This funding will allow local authorities to install a convenient and cost-effective electric vehicle charging infrastructure for those who rely on on-street parking. This helps to support the fair transition to the increased adoption of low carbon transport. We’re therefore encouraging local authorities to access this funding as part of their plans to decarbonise transport and improve local air quality.”
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