National Franchised Dealers Association (NFDA) has said industry and Government collaboration around electric vehicle infrastructure might be key following the choice to scrap the £950 million Rapid Charging Fund.
The Labour government inherited the Convservatives’ £950m RCF plan, but has said it can get replaced with a retargeted £400m investment because of “lack of interest” from motorway service operators.
The fund, originally announced in 2021, aimed to put in over 6,000 rapid and ultra-rapid charge points on England’s motorways by 2035 but was deemed commercially unviable by operators.
NFDA believes that the supply of reliable and accessible charging infrastructure is critical to the successful rollout of electrical vehicles (EVs) across the UK.
Recent polling by Ipsos Mori highlights that concerns over charging infrastructure, slightly than range, at the moment are the first barrier to EV adoption. This “charge anxiety” have to be addressed to make sure consumer confidence in making the switch to zero-emission vehicles.
Sue Robinson, NFDA chief executive, welcomed the £400m commitment from the Government, which is an element of a five yr initiative that can address the shortcomings of the previous scheme, but said “streamlined processes and collaboration with industry stakeholders” might be essential to avoid similar pitfalls.
Robinson said: “It’s disappointing to see the failure of the Rapid Charging Fund, as a strong charging infrastructure is important to support the growing variety of EV drivers.
“Franchised dealers play a key role in guiding consumers through the EV buying journey, but without sufficient charging points, many drivers remain hesitant to make the switch.
“The Government must work closely with industry to be sure that future initiatives are practical, commercially viable, and meet the needs of each motorists and businesses.”
This Article First Appeared At www.am-online.com
