The UK’s rollout of electric vehicle (EV) charge points is far too slow, leaving drivers facing patchy availability, regional inequalities and accessibility failures, according to a damning report from the Public Accounts Committee (PAC).
The committee warns that delays in installing charge points, particularly at motorway service stations, could undermine confidence in EV adoption.
The government is on track to meet its target of 300,000 public charge points by 2030 – but the rollout has been concentrated in London and the South-East, leaving rural and disadvantaged areas underserved.
Despite announcing £950m in 2020 to upgrade electricity capacity on strategic roads, the Department for Transport (DfT) has yet to issue any of the funding nearly five years later.
The PAC demands urgent action to address these failures and speed up infrastructure development to support the switch to EVs.
Motorway charging still lags behind
Motorway service stations are supposed to be the backbone of the EV charging network, giving drivers confidence they can recharge on long journeys. However, one-third of the 114 motorway service areas still don’t have the six ultra-rapid charge points that the government originally promised would be in place by the end of 2023.
The PAC warns that without an urgent fix, gaps in the network will persist. While ultra-rapid charging points near motorways have increased, the lack of infrastructure at key service areas risks deterring potential EV buyers. The committee has called on the government to explain within six months how it will address these gaps and speed up the roll-out of ultra-rapid chargers.
Charge point rollout riddled with regional inequality
The report reveals a stark divide in where public charge points are installed. London and the South-East have secured 43% of all charge points, while rural areas remain largely neglected.
The Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (LEVI) programme was set up to help local authorities install charge points where they are most needed. However, as of October 2024, only 10 of 78 projects had been approved for delivery, despite a March 2025 deadline. The PAC warns that as many councils begin procurement at the same time, the market may not be able to keep up, increasing the risk of delays or even failed projects.
The committee urges the government to provide an update on LEVI within six months, detailing how much money has been spent, how many projects have completed procurement, and what measures are being taken to ensure councils can secure competitive deals.
Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown MP, Chair of the Committee, said:
This roll-out is not currently taking place equally across the nation. Meeting numerical targets for charging points is all very well. Delivering thousands of points allowing Londoners to easily zip around the capital while leaving the rest of the UK’s network patchy is obviously an outcome to be avoided. Drivers need confidence that they can use an EV without any risk of getting stranded, or they won’t make the switch.
Accessibility and affordability failings
The committee also highlights concerns that disabled drivers, those without off-street parking, and disadvantaged groups are being left behind in the EV transition.
Despite the government co-sponsoring a standard for accessible charge points, there are still none in the UK that fully comply.
The PAC warns that failing to address accessibility issues now will result in an EV network that is permanently unfit for many disabled drivers.
It has demanded an urgent review of accessibility standards and an action plan to ensure new charge points meet these requirements.
The report also exposes unfair pricing for those without home chargers.
Public charge points attract a VAT rate of 20%, compared to just 5% for domestic electricity.
The PAC has urged the government to set out how it will monitor these cost disparities and consider changes to VAT rates to ensure fairness for all EV users.
It is also of deep concern that the needs of disabled drivers are being ignored. Not a single charge point in the country is currently fully accessible. We are risking baking a serious injustice into the fabric of a major part of our national infrastructure.
“Our report therefore challenges the Government – it must move at pace to overcome current delays and encourage take-up, while taking the time to ensure no-one gets left behind in this all-important shift to the future.”
Geoffrey Clifton-Brown, PAC Chair
Planning delays and grid connection issues
Another major barrier to faster charge point installation is red tape around planning and grid connections.
The government has acknowledged that getting grid connections is a slow and cumbersome process, yet action to address this has been lacking.
The PAC has called on ministers to work with the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero to ensure major road projects include plans for charging infrastructure.
It also recommends simplifying traffic regulations for dedicated EV charging bays to remove unnecessary planning delays.
EV transition at risk if government doesn’t step up
The committee warns that the slow pace of charge point rollout could undermine the UK’s net zero transport ambitions.
While the ban on new petrol and diesel car sales is due to come into force in 2035, the infrastructure to support this transition is lagging behind.
The PAC says the government must develop a long-term vision for a well-functioning public charging network that meets the needs of all drivers, not just early EV adopters.
The committee is demanding that the government provide a detailed plan outlining:
- How it will address gaps in the motorway charging network.
- A strategy for tackling regional disparities in charge point availability.
- Actions to improve charge point accessibility for disabled drivers.
- Solutions to high public charging costs, including VAT disparities.
- Steps to simplify planning processes and speed up grid connections.
If the government fails to act, the PAC warns that the UK risks entrenching a two-tier EV charging system, where only certain regions and groups benefit from the transition to electric transport.
The message from the committee is clear: the government needs to accelerate the EV rollout now, or risk losing public confidence in the shift to cleaner transport.
Copyright © 2025 Energy Live News LtdELN
