Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask Her Majesty's Government when they intend to appoint a delivery body to (1) supervise, and (2) lead, Project Rapid; and what are the (a) targets, and (b) funding, associated with the project.

The Office for Zero Emission Vehicles has reviewed options for its delivery body and will make its formal appointment after the approval of its Outline Business Case by HMT. This is expected to be within the next 12 months.

The roll out of rapid charging is an opportunity to remove range anxiety for electric vehicle drivers across the roads network. By 2023, we aim to have at least six high -powered, open access chargepoints at motorway service areas in England, with some larger sites having ten to twelve. By 2035, we expect the number to increase to around 6,000 high powered chargers across the network. Government expects the private sector to deliver this wherever possible.

To support our aims and to ensure the private sector can continue to expand the charging network at pace in the 2020s, the Government will invest £950 million in future proofing grid capacity at motorway and major A road service areas to prepare the network for uptake of zero emission cars and vans ahead of need.