Motorists without driveways will soon have the opportunity to participate in the electric car movement. Plans are in place to install cables beneath pavements, enabling drivers to connect their vehicles to their homes' power supply. This will allow drivers to take advantage of lower domestic electricity rates, potentially saving them up to £1,500 annually compared to the cost of running a petrol or diesel car. It also eliminates the need to search for charging stations.
This initiative is part of a larger £63 million funding package, with £25 million specifically allocated to the under-pavement cabling project. The cabling system is designed to allow drivers to operate their electric vehicles for as little as two pence per mile. The number of charging points in the UK has reached 82,000, with an additional 100,000 expected to be added.
The government is also investing in the electrification of NHS ambulances and medical fleets across 200 sites in England, with an £8 million fund aimed at saving £120 million in costs. Over 1,200 charging sockets will be provided for the NHS. Furthermore, charging hubs will be signposted from motorways and major A-roads for the first time.
The government highlights the decreasing costs of electric vehicle ownership, with a significant portion of new cars selling for under £20,000 and numerous models available for under £30,000. The UK was the largest market for electric vehicles in Europe last year, with sales increasing by a fifth compared to the previous year. New charging points are being added at a rapid pace.
Industry leaders have emphasized the importance of improved signage for public charging networks to boost driver confidence. The initiative to support those without off-street parking is seen as a positive step in the transition to electric vehicles. Local authorities will be invited to apply for funding for the under-pavement cabling project, with requirements to demonstrate their ability to deliver the installations.
6 Comments
Habibi
The financial benefits are impressive—£1,500 a year could really help families save!
ZmeeLove
This is a necessary step in making electric cars accessible. It’s about time the infrastructure catches up!
Donatello
Seeing the electric vehicle market grow like this is inspiring. Between incentives and infrastructure, the future looks bright!
Raphael
Another government spending plan with questionable results—how do we know this will even see completion?
Leonardo
I’m not convinced electric cars are the solution to climate issues—this seems like a band-aid fix.
Muchacho
What happens when there's a power outage? Are we just going to be stuck with non-functioning vehicles?