ACS (the Association of Convenience Stores) has called on the Government to provide more support for fuel retailers on the introduction of EV charging points and connections to the National Grid.

In response to a consultation from the Department for Transport, the ACS has been campaigning to bring forward the end to the sale of new petrol, diesel and hybrid cars and vans from 2040 to 2035.

ACS chief executive James Lowman said: “A 2035 ban on the sales of petrol, diesel and hybrid cars and vehicles is ambitious target that will requires Government and fuel retailers to electric vehicle infrastructure across the UK road network.

“Fuel retailers are understandably reluctant to commit to large investments when motorists’ future behaviour is still very hard to forecast and with vehicle and charging technology still developing so quickly.”

The submission also urged the government not to use regulation to mandate the provision of EV charge point on large petrol forecourts.

Mr Lowman continued: “Using an arbitrary definition of a large forecourt or motorway services area is not the right way to plan EV infrastructure, we need to put chargers in the right locations for consumers.”

The full submission is available here.