Are the UK’s roads ready to take an influx of new electric vehicle infrastructure?

21 Jul 21

With the ban on new petrol and diesel cars less than a decade away – and the consultation to end the sale of new non-zero emission HGVs within the UK by 2040 happening at the moment – are the UK’s roads ready to take the influx of new infrastructure required to facilitate the inevitable rising number of e-modes of transport?

A decade.

The sort of milestone that only comes around a handful of times throughout our adult life. Those ten years seem like a long time at first glance but as we all know they fly by in what feels like the blink of an eye.

With the ban on new petrol and diesel cars just over eight years away – and the consultation to end the sale of new non-zero emission HGVs within the UK by 2040 happening at the moment – are the UK’s roads ready to take the influx of new infrastructure required to facilitate the inevitable rising number of e-modes of transport? The emphasis should be on the ‘V’ in ‘EVs’ – as the term ‘vehicles’ not only includes privately owned cars, but also public transport (i.e. buses), fleet (vans and HGVs), and even e-bikes and e-scooters.

The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) states that at least 2.3 million new charge points would be required around the country by 2030, and Labour have estimated that 127,000 EV chargers would be required by 2025 to achieve the UK’s carbon goals. It is clear that EVs are the future. However, it does give rise to the chicken or egg dilemma. In this case, what comes first? The electric-powered vehicles, or the infrastructure to power them? In reality we need both to happen simultaneously.

Going forward maybe we, as an industry, need to start considering how we can incorporate new technologies into developments as a means of futureproofing a site. More innovative technologies are emerging such as lamp column chargers, solar powered charging facilities, or even wireless EV chargers, all of which provide means of furthering the overarching goal of net zero carbon. Do we now need to start considering chargers in bike stores? On short-stay cycle parking? Delivery bays? Bus stops? What do we need to be aware of? Or cautious of? What about more rural locations? These are all things we need to start considering in the ever-evolving world of vehicle charging.

Iceni Transport are well versed in this sector having assisted TfL with implementing their Rapid Charging Network across approximately 100 sites in London. We’re at the forefront of forward thinking and understanding how technologies will shape our future. Get in touch if we can assist.