Bournemouth MP calls for urgent expansion of EV charging infrastructure
A Dorset MP says the lack of EV chargers in the county is “discouraging” people from owning electric cars
A Dorset MP has called on the Government to accelerate the rollout of electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure in Bournemouth.
Tom Hayes, the MP for Bournemouth East, says current provisions are falling short of rising demand, especially for residents without access to off-street parking.
He told the House of Commons that in densely populated residential areas like Boscombe and Charminster - often consisting of narrow roads and terraced housing – there are significant challenges for residents hoping to make the switch to electric vehicles.
“The lack of EV chargers is discouraging people from buying and keeping electric cars,” MP Hayes said. “If we've got EV chargers that are well-placed and accessible people won't have to worry about running out of charge.”
As a former councillor, MP Hayes advocated for practical charging solutions such as lamppost chargers, pavement cable gullies and expanded car park infrastructure.
Despite a commitment from the Secretary of State to consider Bournemouth within a broader national plan, Hayes remains concerned that without innovative local action, many residents will continue to face barriers to EV adoption.
Now, he urges Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council to drop policies that make it harder for drivers to switch to a cleaner form of transport, such as exclusions of on-street chargers due to concerns over pavement obstruction.
MP Hayes told us: “We need to make sure the electric vehicle revolution is available to everybody and that means being able to charge on the street.
“Nobody should be shut out from being able to own or drive an electric car and I think BCP Council could roll out more charging infrastructure that meets the need to local people.
“If the council says there's a climate crisis, it should do as much as it possibly can to tackle that climate crisis.”