South West need 33,000 public electric car chargers by 2030
A study says the current number in the region is roughly 2.500
Last updated 20th May 2024
The South West currently has roughly 2,500 public chargers and by 2030 will need 33,000.
A joint report by councils and business groups - across the region - has looked at how many are needed for locals - and also for the extra influx of tourists expected each Summer
We've been speaking to EV drivers at the region's biggest charging station - just off the M5 at Exeter - who say they feel with planning it is possible to find a charger at the moment, but worry that the number will need to keep up with demand.
In Exmouth the Wenea rapid chargers - which were installed almost a year ago - are still waiting to be connected to the National Grid.
A spokesperson for Wenea told us: "We are waiting for 3rd party grid upgrades to ensure there is necessary grid capacity to serve the rapid chargers already installed (but not energised) at Imperial Road.
"These works are scheduled be completed by the DNO in late July. If there are no delays, we would be able to install the meter, energise the chargers and fully open the site shortly after."
Glenn Lyons, a professor future social mobility at the University of the West of England, says it'll take time to retofit our roads, adding: "We are at the the bottom of what's called the S-curve at the moment of this diffusion of electric vehicles into our car fleet.
"If you look at the figures for the UK as a whole, latest figures from Society of motor manufacture and traders, new vehicle registrations, battery electric vehicles represent about 16% of sales this year to date.
"It's growing, growing perhaps more slowly than we might hope. There are over 1.1 million electric vehicles on the road in the UK, but coming back to our point, that makes up only 3% of the total car fleet.
"So we're having to go in terms of number of vehicles potentially from 1.1 million to 36 million electric vehicles. It seems like an eye watering figure that's being presented, but actually, given where we are with only 3% of the electric vehicles and while we need to get to which is 100%, the numbers of charges clearly have to multiply proportionately to that."
The Western Gateway and Peninsula Transport Sub-national Transport Bodies jointly published Electric Vehicle Charging Study is to help local authorities plan for EV uptake and identify potential charge point sites.
The study forecasts how quickly electric vehicle (EV) uptake is expected to grow in the South West up to 2050, with additional short-term focus up to 2030. WSP, who were commissioned for this study, drew evidence into a useful and simple tool to predict where, how many and what type of chargers will be required.
Across the South West region there are currently 2,408 charge points. By 2030, it is forecasted that up to 33,600 publicly accessible charge points could be required. These charge points would be provided by both the public and private sector, with the public sector expected to deliver up to 20,000 charge points across the South West by 2030. There is potential for additional demand during the busy summer months due to the influx of visitors to the region that will also need addressing.
The data in the study has been shared with local authorities to provide an indication of where charge points should be located and what types of charger should be installed. This will support local authorities in their Local EV Infrastructure (LEVI) delivery programmes, following the Department for Transport’s announcement of a national £343m LEVI Fund to help local authorities address the need for public electric vehicle charging.
The next step will be to create an easy-to-use interactive dashboard to provide a spatial visualisation of EV uptake and charge point demand, as well as setting up a South West EV forum and developing a regional EV strategy.
Allan Creedy, STB Liaison and Partnership Lead, Western Gateway STB, said: “Our joint EV Charging Study provides the evidence we need to determine our requirements for EV uptake in the South West. It assesses barriers to uptake including land use and grid capacity, anticipates consumer behaviour and addresses the issues specific to our region, such as tourism and seasonal changes in charging demand. Now we look forward to establishing a South West EV charging infrastructure forum to engage more widely with stakeholders to address these strategic issues.
“Demand for charging is not equally distributed across our region. It is important to understand where charge points would be most beneficial and to focus investment in these areas. This important study provides an evidence base to support future EV charging across the South West, helping our local authorities within the Peninsula and Western Gateway areas inform the planning of their EV charging networks and creation of their EV strategies.”
Councillor Andrea Davis, Peninsula Transport Chairman said: “The number of electric vehicles being used across the region is rising rapidly. It is vital that the number of public charge points keeps pace with this rise to make sure everyone using an electric vehicle can travel around the peninsula with the confidence of being able to top up when needed.
“Demand fluctuates significantly across the region as we have both urban and rural areas to consider. We also see an influx of visitors during our summer months which places extra demands on the charging network. This modelling will support local authorities in the planning of public charging networks, making sure chargers are best placed where drivers need them. Already, these findings have played a vital role – for example, in shaping Cornwall’s EV infrastructure strategy. This will, in turn, help to support applications for LEVI funding across the region.
“Electric vehicles, when combined with better connected public transport, and more options for people to walk and cycle easily and safely will be key to significantly reducing carbon emissions and improving air quality.”
For more about the study click here