Electric cars charging

EV charging infrastructure and bay enforcement

The expansion of EV charging infrastructure across the UK needs to be ready for when sales of new petrol, diesel and hybrid vehicles end by 2035.  With 8-11 million vehicles expected to need charging by 2030 enforcement of EV chargepoint bays is becoming increasingly important. 

All our members are either directly or indirectly involved in EV charging and the enforcement of EV bays, and in some way supporting this transition. It is often the case that finding parking and a public EV charger happen simultaneously (Park & Charge/Plug-in), which of course isn’t the case with refueling petrol and diesel vehicles. This is especially so for the one third of motorists who have no off-street parking. 

Member support
From the member-wide research we do, we understand what is holding back and also working well on the rollout of EV charging infrastructure. Our EV Connect group helps us to have a strong voice with government. The group supports members to both innovate and collaborate helping an inclusive, clean and sustainable energy transformation and have a good charging experience. 

Grant funding

UK-wide
On-Street Residential Chargepoint Scheme
Local authorities across the UK can apply for grant funding towards the cost of installing on-street (and off-street) residential chargepoints through this grant and get 60% of the capital cost of buying and installing it. 

Residential car parks: customer guidance
This grant is for organisations and landlords that rent, lease or manage residential properties

Rapid charging fund
A pilot grant to expand the ultra-rapid charging network at motorway services where grid connections to the network can be prohibitively expensive (England only).

See the full range of government EV chargepoint grants available.

England
Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (LEVI)
See the Energy Saving Trust website for more information including the LEVI information pack 

Scotland
Scottish Government has invested in ChargePlace Scotland over £65 million and published its Vision for Scotland’s Public Electric Vehicle Charging Network in June 2023. The EV Infrastructure Fund aims to leverage £60 public and private investment so that in future public charging network will be largely financed and delivered by the private sector.  

Scottish Futures Trust (SFT)
SFT manages the Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Fund (EVIF) and gives targeted support to Scottish local authorities to measure EV infrastructure needs.  It is funded mainly by the Scottish Government to meet infrastructure targets in Scotland. See SFT EV chargepoint webpage

EV chargepoint standards and regulations

Standards
The government's Public Charge Point Regulations 2023 guidance, helps operators of publicly accessible EV charge points to understand the 2023 regulations with examples of compliance and good practice. The aim is to ensure that consumers have a positive and consistent EV charging experience. 

Accessibility
The Accessible standards specification - PAS 1899 published by BSI in 2022 requires that EV charging points are accessible; height of chargepoints for wheelchair users, the weight of charging cables and the positioning of chargepoints relative to parking bays etc.  See recorded webinar on PAS1899 .

The BPA continues to stress that all EV chargepoints should be accessible and has developed an accreditation to help people with accessibility needs to identify car parks and facilities, including accessible EV chargepoints called Park Access.

Fire safety
Interim OZEV guidance for electric vehicle (EV) fire safety in covered car parks gives an overview of the considerations that need to be made, as there are additional fire safety challenges in these spaces.

Government regulations on EV smart chargepoints

Resource library
EV charging section in our resource library (members only)

Energy Saving Trust 
EST resources for local authorities on electric vehicle chargepoint provision

National EV Insight & Strategy (NEVIS) resource hub
NEVIS is a new information hub on electric vehicles and EV Infrastructure managed by CENEX.

EV charging Hub for local authorities - a government funded resource for local authorities

Other links

Contact the BPA External Affairs team to get involved in helping us shape good government policy on the roll-out of EV charging infrastructure and EV bay enforcement.