• Government releases Spending Review and National Infrastructure Strategy
• Key electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure grant schemes extended and expanded, and new funding allocated for rapid charging hubs and local authorities
• REA welcomes package the measures having called for such targeted support
• A ‘Net Zero Test’ should also be introduced to ensure future HM Treasury spending aligns with the UK’s legally-binding Net Zero targets

Following on from the Government’s decision last week to phase out the sale of new petrol and diesel cars and vans by 2030, the Government today has confirmed in its Spending Review and National Infrastructure Strategy details of a crucial package of measures to support electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure roll-out at multiple scales.

The Government has confirmed extensions to the grant schemes targeting the home, workplace, and on-street EV charging sectors, extended schemes to target harder-to-electrify leaseholders and small and medium-sized enterprises, and confirmed £950m will be deployed to support rapid charging along the strategic and A-road networks. Additionally, new funding has been made available for local authorities.

The REA, as the representative of over 85 companies operating across the EV infrastructure value chain, has been calling for exactly these measures over the past few months and sees this new funding as Government communicating its ongoing support for widespread infrastructure roll-out.

As the voice for the wider renewable energy and clean technology sector, the REA is also calling for the introduction of a wider ‘Net Zero Test’ whereby potential spending decisions by HM Treasury in the future are tested against the UK’s legally binding commitment to Net Zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. This could be considered as part of HM Treasury’s Net Zero review.

Dr Nina Skorupska CBE, Chief Executive at REA said:

“The outputs of this Spending Review demonstrate that the government is closely listening to the needs of the EV charging sector.

“By confirming extensions to home, workplace, and on-street charging grants, providing extra funding to ensure grid connections along the strategic road network are ready for rapid charging hubs, and introducing targeted financial support for local authorities to deploy infrastructure, investors, developers, and drivers can be assured that the Government is committed to ensuring this sector grows at pace.

“The REA has been calling for exactly this package of support for the past few months and now is keenly looking to understand how some of these schemes will be rolled out and coordinated.” 

“To ensure that new infrastructure spending as a whole is aligned with our decarbonisation ambitions, we are also calling for Treasury to introduce a ‘Net Zero Test’ to make sure all new Government investment aligns with our ability to achieve Net Zero. With the Government’s commitment to kick-start the economy in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, we need to ensure that stimulus spending and decarbonisation are advanced hand-in-hand.”

—ENDS—

For more information or to request an interview, please contact:

Ieva Asnina – 0203 6647 227

Notes to editors:

The Government’s Spending Review document can be found here (see Page 39 for EV infrastructure funding details): https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/938052/SR20_Web_Accessible.pdf
The National Infrastructure Strategy can be found here: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/938049/NIS_final_web_single_page.pdf

About the Association for Renewable Energy and Clean Technology (REA) 

The Association for Renewable Energy and Clean Technology (known as the REA) is the UK’s largest trade association for renewable energy and clean technologies with around 550 members operating across heat, transport, power, and natural capital. The REA is a not-for-profit organisation representing fourteen sectors, ranging from biogas and renewable fuels to solar and electric vehicle charging. Membership ranges from major multinationals to sole traders.

For more information, visit: http://www.r-e-a.net

About the REA’s Electric Vehicle Forum

The REA’s EV Forum is comprised of around 85 companies involved in financing, installing, operating, manufacturing, and providing services to the UK’s EV charging infrastructure market. The REA additionally serves as secretariat to the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Electric Vehicles.

For more information, visit: https://www.r-e-a.net/our-members-forum/electric-vehicles/