ACS (the Association of Convenience Stores) has responded to a consultation on the future of transport, calling on the Government to provide more support to the convenience sector to help the expansion of the electric vehicle charging network.
On 22 November the Prime Minister announced new regulations for new homes and buildings in England in relation to electric vehicle charging points.
From 2022, new homes and buildings such as supermarkets and workplaces will be required to install electric vehicle charging points. In addition to the requirements on new homes and buildings, the regulations would apply to those undergoing largescale renovations which leaves them with over 10 parking spaces.
Findings from ACS’s 2021 Forecourt Report show that there are currently around 536 charging points at 405 forecourt locations (excluding service stations) in the UK, part of a wider network of over 16,000 charging locations. In its submission to Future of transport regulatory review: zero emission vehicles, ACS outlines further actions from government to co-ordinate the role of out EV infrastructure like obligations on local authorities to plan EV infrastructure and delivering standardisation and accessibility of charging points.
“Local shops understand that they have an important role to play in the infrastructure for electric vehicle charging, particularly those operating on petrol forecourts,” said ACS chief executive James Lowman.
“We welcome the announcement from the Prime Minister today but it is essential that the Government provides more support to forecourt retailers and other EV charging providers to help them invest in the long-term future of the charging network in order for it to be workable for businesses and consumers.”
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