New homes and buildings in England will be required by law to install electric vehicle (EV) charging points from next year, Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced. The government estimates this will add up to 145,000 charging points annually across the country.
The mandate also applies to new supermarkets, workplaces, and buildings undergoing major renovations. This is part of the UK's strategy to phase out new petrol and diesel car sales by 2030, aiming for a zero-carbon future.
Speaking at the Confederation of British Industry's conference, Johnson said the shift will be driven by consumer demand, particularly from young people concerned about climate change. However, Labour criticised the plan for failing to address the geographical disparity in charging infrastructure, noting that London and the South East have more public chargers than the rest of England and Wales combined.
The government also announced simpler payment methods, including contactless, for all new fast and rapid charge points. Currently, the UK has about 25,000 charging points, but the Competition and Markets Authority estimates ten times as many will be needed by 2030.
Environmental groups welcomed the move, with Friends of the Earth's Mike Childs emphasising the need for cycle storage and public transport alternatives. Meanwhile, the government confirmed nearly £10 million in funding for a hydrogen project at the UK's largest onshore windfarm near Glasgow, aiming to produce zero-carbon fuel for local transport.
