Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps he is taking to ensure that rural communities have access to electric vehicle charging points.

Earlier this month, the Government published ‘Future of Transport: helping local authorities to unlock the benefits of technology and innovation in rural transport’. The document details the support that the Government is providing to ensure that electric vehicle chargepoints are installed across the UK, including in rural communities. This support includes grants for homes and workplaces, support for local authorities through the Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Fund and the On-Street Residential Chargepoint Scheme, and supporting long distance journeys through the Rapid Charging Fund.

In addition, the Government recently published its Plan for Drivers. The Plan sets out seven further actions that the Government is planning to take to support the transition to zero emission driving. This includes an intention to review the grid connections process for EV chargepoints, to consult on the expansion of street works permits to chargepoint operators, and to consult on the expansion of permitted development rights.

The Government will continue to monitor market developments to determine whether any significant gaps in charging infrastructure provision emerge and will consider the case for further support if required.