More than nine out of 10 (91%) local authorities do not yet have an EV charging infrastructure strategy in place, according to latest research by charge point operator (CPO) Believ.

Time was cited as the biggest barrier (63%) to deployment, followed by lack of funding (40%)

Its poll of council representatives found that almost all (98%) expected it would take more than 12 months to roll out EV charging infrastructure across their local authority, adding to growing concerns that the rollout is falling well behind the Government’s ambition to deliver 300,000 charge points by 2030.

Time was cited as the biggest barrier (63%) to deployment, followed by lack of funding (40%) and then councillor pushback, though the numbers for the latter were small (6%).

The poll reflects a nationwide survey conducted by Believ in 2022, which found that only 14% of local authorities in the UK have dedicated resource for implementing new EV infrastructure. It also uncovered that a lack of funding and guidance from central Government means local authorities can only allocate 15 hours per week to EV projects.

Figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) published in The Times indicate that in some areas of the UK, there are up to 85 EVs competing for a single charge point, and pressure is mounting for local authorities to prioritise the switch to electric.

Perran Moon, interim CEO at Believ, said the company’s findings were reflective of the situation on the ground and a lack of urgency in the rollout of vital EV infrastructure.

“Our findings suggest that there is still clearly a hesitancy due to lack of time and funding by local authorities to begin the process of rolling out charge point infrastructure. And crucially, local authorities need the support, expertise, and guidance from charge point operators.

“Our fully funded model means that we can offer publicly accessible EV infrastructure that is installed, maintained, and operated by us, to give councils back precious time and resources. CPOs such as us are geared up and ready to deliver all charge point speeds at scale and pace, wherever and whenever local authorities are ready to commit.”

Earlier this year, the BVRLA warned that local authorities were missing opportunities to shape fleet-friendly EV charging networks by not consulting with local businesses.

Its research found that 40% of local authorities in the UK are yet to engage with the fleet sector when considering electric vehicle charging needs.

The association’s recently published Fleet Friendly Charging Index also shows that nearly two-thirds (63%) of authorities are yet to publish an EV strategy.

Fleets regularly battle with unreliable, inaccessible or absent public charging infrastructure, according to the index, which highlights the scale of the challenge.

It was launched alongside an updated Fleet Charging Guide at a Reception in the House of Commons this spring, which spotlighted the vital role that fleets play in bringing electric vehicles to UK roads, as well as the “extreme barriers” presented by the current charging infrastructure.

David Hall, VP power systems at Schneider Electric UK & Ireland, has warned it’s essential that we have the infrastructure in place so that consumers are incentivised to make the switch to electric.

He added: “With this is the need to install EV chargers in vast quantities, evenly throughout the UK. Local councils and the Government must become the driving force behind this transition to renewables by doing everything in their power to enable the installation and upgrades of this infrastructure that we so desperately need.

“EV uptake is set to increase electricity consumption by 40%, so this must also be coupled with ensuring that the right infrastructure is in place to manage this usage spike without any disruption on our electrical grids.

“Harnessing a smarter grid will help create network efficiencies and avoid pressures caused by the increase in electricity in a cost-effective and resilient way. With the ability to operate independently from larger grids to store and reserve energy, smart grids have the potential to enable seamless EV charging, with user contingencies, to develop a safe, efficient EV charging infrastructure in the UK.”

To access Believ’s full report on transforming the delivery of local authorities on-street EV charging, click here.

Details of current government funding available to local authorities for charge point rollout is available on the Energy Saving Trust website.