As the UK economy reels under the impact of the coronavirus pandemic, pressure is building on the Government to deliver a recovery plant that prioritizes funding for energy infrastructure, notable renewables, energy storage and electric vehicles.
A letter signed by national business leaders argues that funding “projects such as building renovation, offshore wind, electric vehicles, environmental improvements and low-carbon industrial clusters” will boost private investment and create jobs across the UK.
Whitehall has not come forward with concrete spending commitments, but analysts at the consultancy Delta-EE anticipate a growth in the e-vehicle segment -- not least because of the UK’s legally binding targets, enacted in July 2019, to bring all greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2050, compared with the previous target of at least 80% reduction from 1990 levels.
“We expect a significant drop in new vehicle sales in 2020 due to Covid-19 – as much as a 30% reduction. But we believe charge point installations will continue to grow across all segments, backed by renewed government funding,” said John Murray, head of electric vehicles at the consultancy Delta-EE.
Removing the lack of e-chargers to boost EV acceptance
To date, the low availability of charge points is one of the key barriers to widespread EV adoption. BP recently revealed through research in France, Germany, Spain and the UK that the availability of charge points was second only to price as the most significant barrier to EV adoption.
Ultra-fast charging is seen as key to EV uptake with the public. Hence the industry is calling on the private and public sector to work out an implement policy measures to make this a reality. “We’re all eager to see the transition to electric happen as quickly as possible, but if more emphasis is put on the infrastructure behind it, we could see an accelerated EV uptake in line with the government’s vision,” Murray underlined.
By 2030, the majority of charge points, or around 71%, are likely to be still installed at home. But this figure is forecast to fall by 5% over the next decade as a rising number of EV owners will not have access to off-street parking.
Delta-EE expects workplace charging will grow by 7% by 2030, as this option will increasingly substitute home charging. “While workplace charging currently looks set for the biggest growth, COVID-19 may also have a lasting impact on working practices and mobility habits,” Murray said, adding: “The reality is that for people with EVs, and no access to off-street parking, they will need to charge their vehicles somehow, and workplace charging will still play a very important role in this.”