The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has helped unlock a barrier to boosting the EV network by clarifying a charging installation misunderstanding for councils.

The mix-up was raised by local authorities and related to installing more public chargers in connection with agreements they had in place with advertiser JCDecaux.

Some councils have signed a digital advertising exclusivity deal with the advertiser, which they believed could hinder the expansion of public charge points. As chargers carry digital advertising, some councils believed they were not able to boost the public charging network as it could breach their contract with JCDecaux for digital advertising boards and bus stops already in place.

However, the advertiser confirmed to the CMA that installations could progress as long as there was a “distance of more than 25 meters” from existing infrastructure.

An open letter from the CMA to transport bodies and councils urged parties to review their arrangements accordingly and install more chargers.

Jack Cousens, head of roads policy for the AA, welcomed the move.

“The CMA has helped unlock a niche barrier to boosting the EV network,”  he said. “Some councils felt they had inadvertently blocked their ability to help expand the public charging network, but clarification from JCDecaux shows that everyone can see the potential EV infrastructure brings.

“While the National Audit Office report says the UK is on target to reach 300,000 publicly available chargers by 2030, we want local authorities to push for better and increase their local network as soon as possible. This would help give drivers the confidence to switch at the first possible opportunity.”