“North-south divide” on public EV infrastructure

A north-south divide is threatening Britain’s net zero transition as local authorities face a disparity in access to cash and planning for public sector EV infrastructure, according to fresh research by charge point operator (CPO) Believ.

The study by the firm found 33% of all local authorities surveyed claimed to have no formal EV infrastructure plan in place, rising to 40% for the North.

Some 70% of respondents in the north describing access to sufficient funding as ‘a significant barrier’, compared with 45% in the south of England outside of London.

The report includes data that proves charge points are unevenly distributed across the country and disproportionately affecting drivers in the North.

London (34% of the total) and the South East (12%) have the highest proportion of charge points per vehicle, while the North East (3%) and the North West (7%) are trailing behind.

Consequently, drivers’ access to public charging facilities in the North has fallen by up to 50% in the last year.

Some 43% of respondents state installing charge points is too expensive, and almost all of them think residents living in deprived areas cannot afford to buy EVs. But half of UK drivers purchase second-hand cars, and the price of second-hand EVs is now comparable with petrol and diesel.

Believ’s research suggests that the South East has succeeded in driving consumers to switch to EVs by first building a robust charging infrastructure, rather than waiting for demand from residents.

Guy Bartlett, CEO of Believ, said:

“We must address disparities in the pace and scale of the rollout across the UK. It is crucial to ensure an equitable transition to sustainable transportation and mitigate the risk of a growing North-South divide. 

“Local authorities need support for the enormous task of fulfilling the government’s net zero ambition. They should also be encouraged to use the private sector to help them fund and build EV infrastructure so that no community is left behind.”

As in previous years, Transport + Energy will be offering a number of fully funded places to qualifying representatives from local authorities who are in a role which is focused on the decarbonisation of transport, including energy, infrastructure, planning and highways at its upcoming Transport + Energy Forum.

Image courtesy of Believ.