Local authorities need coordinated national support to plan and deliver electric vehicle charging infrastructure, according to the association representing local authority place directors.
The Association of Directors of Environment, Economy, Planning and Transport (ADEPT) has published a policy position warning that without equitable, reliable and affordable charging provision, the UK's EV transition risks stalling.
With over 1.9 million fully electric vehicles now on UK roads and EVs accounting for nearly a quarter of new car registrations in 2025, momentum is building.
But ADEPT warns that around eight to nine million households without off-street parking are entirely dependent on public charging – which can cost more than three times as much as charging at home.
The body is calling on Government to reduce VAT on public charging, fund rapid charging hubs on major roads, and develop a national payment platform to enable seamless access across all operators.
Ann Carruthers, past president of ADEPT and former chair of ADEPT’s Transport & Connectivity Board, said local authorities needed ‘funding, powers and consistency’ to deliver the transition properly.
