New £63 million boost for Britain's electric vehicle revolution

DRIVERS across England are set to benefit as the Government announces a £63 million investment package to supercharge Britain's electric vehicle infrastructure, driving down charging costs and putting money back in the pockets of working people as part of the Plan for Change.

A pioneering £25 million scheme for local authorities will expand access to cheaper at home charging. This will provide access to cheaper household rates, allowing drivers to save up to £1,500 a year compared to running a petrol or diesel car, and transforming how thousands of households without driveways power up their electric cars.

The innovative cross-pavement technology will allow cables to run safely beneath pavements, connecting homes directly to parked vehicles, enabling more families to tap into cheaper domestic electricity rates for as little as 2p per mile even if they don't have a driveway.

The fund is the latest move to bolster the UK's growing charging network which has reached a record 82,000 public chargepoints, with a further 100,000 expected to be installed as a result of the Government's Local EV Infrastructure Fund and £6bn of private investment committed to 2030.

To ensure the savings the EV transition can bring are felt in the public sector too, the NHS in England is also receiving a major sustainability upgrade with an £8 million fund to power the electrification of ambulances and medical fleets across over 200 NHS sites, saving £120 million in costs which can be invested into patient care.

Standing firmly on the side of British drivers, this latest investment is part of our major plan to support motorists, including:- a record £1.6 billion invested to tackle potholes and freeze fuel duty at 5p until Spring 2026, saving the average motorist £50–£60 over the year.

This investment underpins the Government's Plan for Change mission to kickstart economic growth and make life easier for working people, ensuring the transition to net zero delivers for working families whilst creating good jobs and driving economic growth across all Regions of the UK.

Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said:- "We are making it easier and cheaper to own an electric vehicle. We know access to charging is a barrier for people thinking of making the switch, and we are tackling that head on so that everyone; whether or not they have a driveway; can access the benefits of going electric. Our investment is about more than just charging points; it's about charging up Britain's economy. I'm proud that through this boost, we are helping deliver cheaper bills for families, massive savings for the NHS to reinvest in patient care, and thousands of new green jobs. This is what our Plan for Change mission to grow Britain's economy looks like in practice. We're not just boosting charging infrastructure, we're building a fairer, cleaner future where every family can benefit from cheaper, greener transport, whilst creating thousands of good jobs across the country."

In a pioneering move to help EV drivers plug into the rapidly expanding charging network, the Government is also modernising EV charging signage on major roads. Immediate changes will allow EV charging hubs; which have more than doubled since the beginning of 2023; to be signposted from motorways and major A-roads for the 1st time.

Government is committed to boosting charging for long journeys, with £400m announced in the Spending Review to support charging infrastructure, including:- on motorways and across the Strategic Road Network.

Alongside the boosts for electric drivers, the Government is also launching a major new grant scheme to help businesses install charging points at depots nationwide, supporting the nation's heavy goods vehicles, vans and coach drivers in the transition to zero emissions.

The action follows recent updates to the Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) Mandate to make it easier for the sector to switch to electric as part of Government's ongoing work to back British manufacturing. With over 1.2 million people employed in the freight and logistics sector in the UK alone, today's announcement is the latest move to keep industry at the forefront of international competition in the face of global economic headwinds.

The 1,200+ new charging sockets for the NHS will deliver a more efficient, modern health system whilst generating millions in cost savings over the next 2 decades for the taxpayer on maintenance and fuel costs; valuable savings that can be prioritised for patient care and help rebuild the NHS.

Owning and buying an EV is becoming increasingly cheaper, with:- 2 in 5 of used electric cars sold at under £20,000 and 34 brand new electric cars are available from under £30,000.

The UK was also the largest EV market in Europe in 2024 and the 3rd in the world with over 382,000 EVs sold; up a 5 on the previous year. There are now more than 82,000 public chargepoints in the UK; with one added every 30 minutes; ensuring that motorists are always a short drive from a socket.

Edmund King, AA president, said:- "There are more public chargers than people realise, but they are often hidden in plain sight. Increasing signs for the public network is vital to help the EV transition as it will create confidence for drivers both now and in the future. It is great to see more support for those without off street parking so that they can also benefit from the EV revolution."

Delvin Lane, CEO, InstaVolt said:- "We are pleased that the Government has taken the crucial step of delivering official EV charging signage on the strategic road network; a move we believe will improve consumer confidence and bolster EV adoption. This marks a major milestone for the EV industry and drivers across the UK. At InstaVolt, we have been relentless in our campaigning and have built a strong, collaborative relationship with the Government to push this initiative forward. Our opinion research suggests that the rollout of clear, official signage will make a significant difference; helping EV drivers easily locate public charging points while on the move, and reassuring those considering making the switch to electric vehicles. For years, we have emphasised that the UK's public EV infrastructure, so critical to mass adoption, is already largely in place, and now this signage will finally showcase it to drivers in a visible, accessible way. As the UK's largest ultra rapid public charging network with over 2,000 chargers nationwide, InstaVolt is proud to be at the forefront of this transformation and excited to see how these signs will accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles."

Ian Johnston, CEO, Osprey:- said:- "Signage impacts ALL the UK's drivers because consumers need to see it to believe it. Osprey have tirelessly highlighted the benefit that clear EV road signage would bring to drivers looking to make the switch and to the charging businesses installing the critical infrastructure underpinning transport decarbonisation. This is a welcome 1st step and we look forward to continuing to work closely with ministers and officials to achieve clear signage for the hundreds of high quality EV charging hubs being opened across the nation."

Government agrees landmark plans to lay down the tracks for direct trains to Germany

MILLIONS of passengers could benefit from quicker and more convenient travel across Europe as the UK and Germany establish a joint taskforce to explore a new direct rail link between:- the 2 countries.

The landmark partnership, agreed as part of a new Bilateral Treaty to be signed by the Prime Minister and Chancellor Merz, will pave the way for direct international rail services that could boost tourism to the UK and support jobs, as outlined in the Plan for Change, and strengthen cross border trade within the next decade.

This significant step forward on establishing direct rail services comes as the UK and Germany commit to enhancing sustainable transport links and collaborate in the field of sustainable, innovative and universally accessible transport solutions and mobility.

The joint taskforce will bring together transport experts from both Governments to examine how to address the barriers to establishing direct long distance rail passenger services, including:- establishing the necessary border and security controls.

The collaboration will support the decarbonisation of transport while strengthening connections and boosting trade between:- the UK and Germany.

Transport Secretary, Heidi Alexander, said:- "We're pioneering a new era of European rail connectivity and are determined to put Britain at the heart of a better connected continent. The Brandenburg Gate, the Berlin Wall and Checkpoint Charlie; in just a matter of years, rail passengers in the UK could be able to visit:- these iconic sights direct from the comfort of a train, thanks to a direct connection linking London and Berlin. This landmark agreement; part of a new Treaty the Prime Minister will sign with Chancellor Merz today; has the potential to fundamentally change how millions of people travel between:- our two countries, offering a faster, more convenient and significantly greener alternative to flying. A new task force will bring our nations closer together and create new opportunities for tourism, business and cultural exchange, building on a landmark deal we signed earlier this year to explore introducing direct services to Switzerland. The economic potential is enormous. A direct rail link would support the creation of jobs and strengthen the vital trade links that underpin our economic relationship with Germany. British businesses will have better access to European markets, whilst German companies will find it easier to invest and operate in the UK. This is central to our Plan for Change; breaking down barriers, thinking boldly about the future, and making long-term decisions that better connect Britain to the world. Working with Germany, we're building bridges between:- our people and paving the way for a more sustainable, connected future."

The taskforce will examine commercial and technical requirements, including:- safety standards, border arrangements and collaboration with rail operators to make direct services a reality.

This partnership builds on both countries' commitment to decarbonising transport and promoting sustainable mobility solutions across Europe.

It follows the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between:- the Transport Secretary and Swiss Federal Councillor, Albert Rösti earlier this year, which will lay the groundwork for future commercial services to Switzerland.

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