Boosting residential on-street EV charging initiatives

author: FutureCar Staff    

Vauxhall has launched an initiative called the 'Electric Streets of Britain' programme to address the lack of residential on-street EV charging infrastructure. A freedom of information request made by Vauxhall revealed that 70% of local authorities in the UK have no strategy in place for on-street EV charging. This poses a significant barrier to EV adoption, as 40% of homes in the country do not have a driveway or garage for charging.

The FOI request gathered responses from 289 out of 414 UK councils and local authorities, and it was found that 69% of them have not installed any on-street chargers. Additionally, 45% confirmed that they have no plans to install residential on-street chargers this year. In response to these findings, Vauxhall aims to ensure that homes without driveways are not left behind in the transition to zero-emission motoring.

Vauxhall has set up a national database at www.electricstreets.co.uk, where the public can register their need for on-street charging. This will help councils understand the demand for charging infrastructure and cater to the needs of existing and potential EV drivers. Vauxhall is working with charging operators char.gy, Connected Kerb, and SureCharge to establish an 'Enablement Fund' that will assist councils in understanding the scale of on-street charging issues and the available solutions.

The importance of on-street charging is highlighted by the fact that 80% of all EV charging is done at home. In urban areas, where 60% of homes lack off-street parking, on-street charging becomes even more crucial. Vauxhall suggests solutions such as lamp post chargers, which can be installed quickly, and pavement-mounted bollards.

James Taylor, Managing Director of Vauxhall, emphasizes the need for accessible charge points near homes to facilitate the transition to electric vehicle ownership. Vauxhall aims to collaborate with the public, councils, and charging operators to ensure that everyone, including those without a driveway, can be part of this journey. The company also aims to educate decision-makers and expedite the installation of more chargers.

The provision of on-street charging will not only benefit private motorists but also support businesses in going electric. It is estimated that four in 10 company-owned electric vans are charged at home by employees. Therefore, having widespread access to charge points will enable van drivers to conveniently charge their vehicles both at home and at destination chargers when attending residential jobs.

FutureCar Staff