Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether her Department plans to expand the network of charging points for electric vehicles at motorway service stations.

The biggest barrier to expanding the network of electric vehicle (EV) chargepoints at Motorway Service Stations (MSAs) is the urgent need to improve local power connections to MSAs. Last year, the Government announced the £950 million Rapid Charging Fund (RCF) to help motorway and major A road service area operators prepare the network for an increase in EV uptake by improving the power connection capacity to MSAs in England. The timing and process for the delivery of this funding is currently being planned and will be confirmed in due course. In parallel, we will continue to work with industry to ensure they are able to keep the availability of EV chargepoints at MSAs to accommodate future EV uptake.

Charge anxiety has been identified as a main concern from prospective electric vehicle drivers. A visible and functional long-distance charging network is vital for mass EV adoption. Over 99% of Motorway Service Areas (MSAs) in England have charging available, with 365 open access, rapid chargers across the MSA network.

By the end of 2023, we aim to have at least six ultra-rapid, open access chargepoints at every MSA in England, with some larger sites having 10 to 12. Delivery of this goal is being led by the private sector, with support from DfT, Ofgem and National Highways.