New homes and buildings such as supermarkets and workplaces will be required to install electric vehicle (EV) charge points from next year, under new legislation announced by prime minister Boris Johnson today, Monday 22nd November. The same goes for buildings undergoing major renovation.
The new regulations will see up to 145,000 extra charge points installed across England each year in the run up to 2030, when the sale of new petrol and diesel cars will end in the UK. With the majority of charging happening at home, people will be able to buy new properties already prepared for an EV lifestyle. The regulations also aim to ensure charge points will be readily available at new shops and workplaces across the UK, making it as easy as refuelling a petrol or diesel car today.
As well as new non-residential buildings and homes, buildings undergoing largescale renovations which leave them with over 10 parking spaces will also be required to install charge points for electric vehicles.
On Monday, the prime minister will address the Confederation of British Industry (CBI), where he will set out how he believes the UK can create an advantage in the biggest transformation of the global economy in 200 years.
He is expected to make much of the public and private sectors working in partnership to seize the opportunities of net zero, from electric vehicles to clean power. In his speech, the prime minister is expected to say: “We will require new homes and buildings to have EV charging points – with another 145,000 charging points to be installed thanks to these regulations.”
Johnson will add: “We are investing in new projects to turn wind power into hydrogen and our net zero strategy is expected to trigger about £90 billion of private sector investment, driving the creation of high wage high skilled jobs as part of our mission to unite and level up across the country.”
After consulting with industry, the government will also be going further to make it easier and simpler for people to go electric, by introducing simpler ways to pay whilst travelling, such as contactless, at all new fast and rapid charge points.
The Government has also announced today that following a successful pilot with businesses, Innovate UK will deliver a new three-year programme of £150m in new flexible and affordable Innovation Loans to help British SMEs commercialise their latest R&D innovations. This programme supports businesses to grow, scale up and create new highly-skilled jobs in the process, including those who would have otherwise been unable to secure private loans.
Whilst this is open to a variety of sectors, green businesses will be able to apply from early next year, many of whom have already been benefiting during the pilot as the UK transitions to net zero.
