UK Government Pledges £63 Million to Expand EV Charging Network

The UK government has unveiled a £63 million funding package designed to accelerate the rollout of electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure nationwide. This aligns with its broader ambition to make EV ownership more affordable and convenient.

Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander announced on July 13 that councils will receive £25 million to install “cross‑pavement” solutions. These involve discreet cable channels under pavement slabs, enabling residents without driveways to charge EVs from the kerbside. An extra £30 million is earmarked for charging points at vehicle depots—including NHS facilities—supporting fleets like ambulances.

This investment complements a wider £700 million subsidy proposal aimed at lowering the upfront cost of EV purchases, with a focus on UK-built models—such as the Sunderland‑made Nissan Leaf. As such, high-end EVs, including Tesla and the new electric Range Rover by JLR, may be excluded from these incentives.

These measures replace the previous Conservative-era £950 million pledge for motorway charging points, which was abandoned by the current government amid criticism for lacking proper funding. Chancellor Rachel Reeves earlier committed £400 million for charging infrastructure as part of a £1.4 billion support package for EVs.

EVs now represent just over 20 % of new car registrations this year—a figure the government hopes to raise to 28 %, though independent projections estimate a more realistic uptake of about 22 %. To further stimulate EV demand and electrify Britain's auto sector, an additional £2 billion is committed to domestic zero‑emission vehicle manufacturing and supply chain enhancement.