The government has quietly backedtracked from plans to require every shop, office, or factory in England install at least one electric vehicle charger if they have a large parking lot. This was criticized by environmental campaigners.
In the original plan, every non-residential building that has parking for 20 cars or more was required to install a charger. The Department for Transport (DfT), however has now stated that it will only require chargers to be installed within new or refurbished commercial premises. This was in response to concerns over the cost for businesses. ResponseTo schedule a consultation
The move has raised concerns in the industry and among experts about public charger access. As electric vehicles increase ahead of the 2035 ban on new fossil-fuelled internal-combustion engines, the industry is concerned that the charging infrastructure will not be available to all. According to industry data, 25% of all new cars purchased in the UK in November are able to be plugged in for recharge.
Greg Archer, UK director of Transport & Environment, a campaign organization, stated: Car parks are a great place for electric car drivers without driveways to charge. The government has missed an opportunity to raise the charging availability for drivers who park overnight on the roads by failing to require commercial buildings that have car parks to install a limited number of charging points.
It is puzzling that a government that had promised to phase out conventional cars failed to implement its proposals more than two years ago. Instead, it says it needs to take longer to consider the options.
Boris Johnson, Prime Minister, announced plans last month to require a charging station for every residential building that is built or renovated beginning next year. It was met with great fanfare. Johnson claimed the regulations are world-leading.
The UK’s decision to eliminate the requirement that existing non-residential buildings be converted to residential buildings could mean that it will fall behind the EU which has introduced a rule requiring existing buildings to install cables for charging devices after 2025.
The government could still impose more demanding requirements on existing car parks like a minimum number chargers per space. The Office for Zero Emission Vehicles will be taking comments on a Separate consultationLast month, the discussion closed on the future of transport regulations.
DfTs response to consultation said that it wanted a more tailored approach to existing non-residential buildings. Despite concerns over the financial costs, the cost to install a charger point at a cost of approximately 1,500 can be affordable. Within a few decades, they are fully recoupedBy charging electricity users
The DfT refused to reveal the identities of those who objected on cost grounds to the policy. According to consultation responses, the most common objection was a lack in ambition regarding the number of charging points that would apply to larger premises. Only a few respondents were concerned about who would pay. The DfT stated that it would create an alternative policy.
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All major UK supermarket chains, including Waitrose and Sainsburys have started to install electric car chargers in an effort to attract shoppers who need to recharge their batteries while they shop.
A spokesperson for DfT said that they have just introduced world-leading legislation that requires new homes as well as non-residential buildings such offices and supermarkets to have charge points installed.
This will result in the installation of approximately 145,000 new charge point across England each and every year. This will make it possible for consumers to purchase homes that are ready to go for an electric future. In addition, there are more charge points available at shops, offices, and other places. This is a significant step forward in our efforts to accelerate towards our net zero targets, and power up the electric revolution.
