As concerns about climate change and air pollution continue to rise, the demand for electric vehicles (EVs) has experienced significant growth in the United Kingdom over the past two years.
The number of EV registrations increased by 40% increase from 2021 to 2022. Furthermore, in May 2023, 17% of all vehicle registrations in the UK were electric. While this surge in electric vehicle demand is commendable, it is vital to acknowledge the pressing need for enhanced charging infrastructure to meet the rising demand.
The stark disparity in public EV charger availability and the number of electric vehicles being registered calls for urgent action and strategic planning to bridge this infrastructure gap.
The rapid growth in EV uptake is a reflection of a significant shift in consumer attitudes, with more people recognising the long-term benefits of electric mobility. Lower running costs, reduced carbon emissions, and government incentives made electric vehicles an appealing option for both environmentally conscious individuals and cost-savvy motorists.
The urgent need for enhanced infrastructure
Globally, the demand for electric vehicles remains strong. IEA’s Global Electric Vehicle Outlook in April 2023 reported a record breaking rise in sales during 2022, with expectations of a further 35% increase this year.
Despite Volkswagen stating the company is set to pause work on EV production at its plant in Emden, its customers are experiencing wait times of up to 12 months in other parts of the world. Germany’s goal to have 15 million EVs on the road by 2030 may currently be off track, however, EVs still accounted for a third of all new car sales in Germany in 2022.
The decision to halt production could be linked to vehicle features and pricing rather than a decline in EV adoption. Tesla’s decision to dramatically cut vehicle prices put them closer in line with Volkswagen’s ID.4 and ID.7 models, generating an increase in sales of both its Models 3 and Y by 83.5% on the previous year.
MG, now the second-best-selling EV manufacturer in the UK behind Tesla, experienced record sales in the first quarter of 2023 of its MG4 – considered the most affordable EV in the market.
At the end of May 2023, Zapmap figures showed there were 43,626 electric vehicle charging points across the UK and 780,000 fully electric vehicles registered on the road. With a ratio of 17 vehicles to each charging point and electric vehicle demand set to increase further, it is easy to see the urgency for improved public charging infrastructure. The UK needs to increase monthly EV charger installations by 288% in 2023 to install 300,000 public EV chargers by 2030.
Addressing the infrastructure gap
The Government has signalled significant steps and funding allocation to address the infrastructure gap, which will support a return to the upward trajectory in demand for electric vehicles.
The Office for Zero Emission Vehicles (OZEV) offers up to £14,000 in grant funding for businesses and organisations looking to install EV infrastructure. This applies to up to 40 charging points for use by employees, visitors, or customers. In February this year, the Ministry of Transport announced that UK drivers would benefit from an additional £56m in public and industry funding for increasing EV charge points across the country.
Along with the Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (LEVI) pilot, and On-Street Residential Chargepoint Scheme (ORCS), the funds are expected to support 16 further pilot projects across the country. These will deliver up to 2,400 public charge points in the short term, and will “support local councils to deliver tens of thousands more in the long term.”
In addition to financial investment, it is crucial to streamline the EV charger installation process, particularly in public spaces, ensuring efficient planning and swift execution. Establishing collaborative partnerships between public and private entities to accelerate the installation process, leverage technological advancements, and optimise resource allocation. By working together towards the shared goal of delivering a robust charging infrastructure, the UK can foster a sustainable and convenient ecosystem for EV adoption and demand.
The role of evec
As part of the For Everyone Group, evec’s commitment to offering cost-effective and reliable charging options has seen us install more than 8000 chargers since we launched in April 2022. This has been done through a range of commercial applications, from council car parks and public spaces, to workplace charging and leisure facilities, as well as private car parks and new residential developments.
We have made it our mission and built our business to meet the demand for electric vehicles and remove the barrier to EV ownership by providing an affordable EV charging solution with high-quality, high-performance products that accommodate everyone from entry-level to luxury electric vehicle owners. Working with our partners to drive a manageable and sustainable reduction in installation costs has meant we are now the UK’s most affordable charging solution.
Last month saw the Group’s move to new, larger premises to facilitate increased customer demand and revenue generation across our portfolio. In addition, the launch of evec’s new ‘2 in 1 Dual Wall Mounted Charger’ (the DVC01) provides unparalleled flexibility for both commercial applications and residential charging. So, we continue to make great strides to support the world in transitioning towards electric vehicles at an increasingly rapid rate.
What are the benefits of enhanced charging infrastructure?
Investing in improved charging infrastructure offers numerous benefits beyond meeting the immediate demands of EV owners.
Reinforcing the public’s confidence in electric mobility and greater education to address concerns that can deter non-EV owners from transitioning to electric vehicles has to be a priority. Increased accessibility to charging points reduces anxiety about finding available chargers on long trips. For those businesses whose work takes people out on the road, the benefits of an EV fleet can’t be hindered by productivity losses through time spent either finding or using a suitable charging point. Additionally, the establishment of reliable charging networks can act as an impetus for further investment, attracting businesses and boosting local economies that are meeting the demand for electric vehicles.
A robust charging infrastructure network stimulates economic growth and job creation. A surge in installation and maintenance jobs provides employment opportunities across the country. At For Everyone Group, we have increased our workforce by more than 50% in the last 12 months and have forecasted a further 20% growth by the end of this year.
The move to new premises has significantly increased our storage capacity, meaning greater on-hand stock levels to reduce delivery times to customers. We also continue to work with our installation partners to increase the speed at which installation projects can be completed.
The future of electric vehicles
Enhancing the EV infrastructure is vital to meet the immediate needs of owners and build the confidence of potential buyers. Still, EV and EV charger manufacturers (as well as government bodies) must do more to improve education for drivers to alleviate concerns around range anxiety, battery disposal and other myths that have led to fearmongering.
Driving an electric vehicle may not be the perfect solution right now, but they are a better solution for the environment and our wallets in the long run. Mapping the road to a greener, cleaner future and keeping the doors to the EV revolution open is paramount. It is imperative that we continue to invest in infrastructure and education to support the ongoing upward trajectory in EV demand and meet the necessary targets for a sustainable and accessible EV charging network.
