Overcoming delays and addressing EV charge point inequality - the EV PAC report

There’s no doubt that the roll out of EV Charging infrastructure is ramping up. Recently, we’ve seen the number of public charge points in the UK surpass 75,000 and many more drivers are deciding to make the switch. As of the end of February 2025, according to Zapmap, there are over 1,400,000 fully electric cars on UK roads.

There is positive progress being made to create the right environment for EV drivers to charge away from home, and for EV owners without off street parking. However, patchy charge point availability and inequality for different groups of drivers are two of the key issues identified in a new report by the parliamentary Public Accounts Committee (PAC). The parliamentary spending watchdog has been examining the barriers to going electric, and what government needs to be doing to support the efficient roll out of EV Charging Infrastructure.

Three key challenges

The EV PAC report found that the following three areas need speedily addressing by government:

1.        Gaps in charge point provision across the country

Whilst government is on track to reach the minimum 300,000 charge points needed by 2030, PAC stresses that those installed to date haven’t been spread evenly across the country. 43% of all charge points are situated in the South-East and London, and a third of the UK’s 114 motorway service areas haven’t met the Department for Transport’s original goal of six ultra-rapid charge points installed by the end of 2023. 

The report also highlights that rural areas could require further government intervention.

2.        The impact on drivers with disabilities and those without access to off street parking

Is the current roll out of EV Charging Infrastructure leaving disabled drivers behind? The report says it is, with no UK charge points fully compliant with the accessibility standards co-sponsored by the Department of Transport. The DfT hasn’t mandated the use of these standards yet.

The report also outlines that the many drivers relying on public charging, namely those without off street parking, are paying more for the privilege because of higher VAT rates on public charging (20%, as opposed to 5% for domestic).

3.        The speed of charge point roll out and funding delays

The PAC also found that government has been slow to address gaps in charge point installation and needs to address delays to the roll out of infrastructure. PAC recommends charge points are installed speedily, prior to a further spike in need. 

The report also highlights delays in local authorities installing charge points where they’re most needed. Only 10 out of 78 installation projects in England were approved for delivery in October 2024, against a March 2025 deadline. 

In 2020, the government also made available £950m to future-proof electricity capacity on strategic roads. The PAC’s report finds that the Department for Transport has yet to distribute any of this funding.

Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown MP, Chair of the Committee, commented: 

“It is welcome to see the EV charging roll out beginning to ramp up, with all the implicit benefits that bearing down on emissions will bring. But this roll out is not currently taking place equally across the nation. 

It is also of deep concern that the needs of disabled drivers are being ignored. Not a single charge point in the country is currently fully accessible.

Government similarly needs to understand how to remedy financial inequalities for those who have no choice but to use public charge points.”

The areas highlighted are very much at the forefront of our minds at EVCP solutions, as we help fund sites to install EV Charging infrastructure.

Commenting on the report, our Head of EV Charging, Graeme Patton, said:

“The gap in EV charging infrastructure is something we’re working hard to address at a local level, especially in the central South West, and in other parts of the UK, as we help sites develop their EV charging ambitions. Considering charge point accessibility is at the top of our list as we do this.

In terms of infrastructure roll out speed, we’re working with strategic partners to help with groundworks capacity, and our teams are always looking to further support the switch with new partners needing resource.

It will be interesting to see how on street solutions develop further, to help drivers charge nearer to home. We’ve recently been working with partners offering innovative solutions and our teams are looking forward to installing more infrastructure over the coming months”.

For more on the report, just head here.