ChargeUK has published its election manifesto for the next government, intended to accelerate charger deployment and ensure charging networks keep pace with rising demand.

The EV charging sector trade body is calling on the next government to adopt 12 measures that will accelerate the rollout of vital charging infrastructure

The EV charging sector trade body is calling on the next government to adopt 12 measures that will accelerate the rollout of vital charging infrastructure and ensure drivers can access the right charging solution in the right place.

Its key requests in the ‘Our Electric Future’ manifesto centre around three main themes:

• Getting even more chargers in the ground – by removing the grid, planning and permitting challenges slowing us down, and include renewable electricity in the RTFO
• Making charging and owning an EV as easy and affordable as possible – by equalising VAT, encouraging lower cost electricity, improving signage and supporting drivers to access EVs
• Maximising private investment, by clarifying the Rapid Charging Fund, speeding up the use of the Local EV Infrastructure Fund, addressing significant increases in standing charges, and working with the trade body to develop HGV charging provision.

Founded in April 2023 with 20 members, ChargeUK doubled to 40 members in its first year, all involved in installing, operating and supporting charge point infrastructure.

Its members are publicly committed to investing over £6bn by 2030 to deliver and operate a world-class charging infrastructure, creating jobs, supporting economic growth, and powering the UK’s switch to electric vehicles.

Earlier this month, the National Infrastructure Commission confirmed that the UK is on track to reach the current government’s goal of 300,000 public charge points by 2030 thanks to the efforts of ChargeUK members.

Vicky Read, CEO of ChargeUK, said: “There are already 60,000 public charge points now available in the UK. This, combined with over half a million home and work-place chargers, means that today’s EV drivers can be sure the charging infrastructure will be there for them.

“One in three of those public chargers was installed in the last year, underlining the pace with which the rollout is taking place. But ChargeUK’s members want to go faster – we know that providing infrastructure ahead of demand is essential if we are to give the UK’s future EV drivers the confidence to switch. We also know that that our infrastructure has to be easy for drivers to use and that it must be affordable.

“Our manifesto details a comprehensive plan to support the UK’s transition to net zero, ensuring convenient, affordable, and accessible charging for all drivers.”

The full manifesto can be found here.