Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to encourage District Network Operators to make the process of grid connection and upgrade easier for fleets installing EV charging infrastructure; and whether they have any plans to expand Project Rapid to focus on additional transport hubs such as airports, shared depots and truck rest areas.

As set out in the Powering Up Britain Energy Security Plan, and subsequent Prime Minister’s speech on net zero on 20 September, Government is committed to reducing grid connection timescales for EV charging and other projects. The forthcoming Government and Ofgem Connections Action Plan will set out action to accelerate grid connection timescales for all customers including demand projects, such as EV chargepoint infrastructure. In addition, the Plan for Drivers published in October 2023, committed to a review of grid connections, specifically focused on EV infrastructure.

The Government has no plans to extend the scope of the Rapid Charging Fund beyond the strategic road network. The Government is planning to publish a consultation on the Rapid Charging Fund shortly.