Electric vehicle charging bays and forecourts across Wales will receive 100 per cent business rates relief until 2036, in a move aimed at encouraging investment in charging infrastructure.
The measure, announced by Wales’ cabinet minister for finance Elin Jones on Tuesday (11 August), is intended to remove a potential barrier to the continued expansion of the electric vehicle charging network, particularly in areas currently underserved by charging points.
Under the plans, local authorities will be asked to award the relief using their discretionary powers during the current financial year. Where applicable, the relief can be backdated to the start of the 2024-25 financial year.
Regulations will be introduced later this year to put the relief on a statutory footing from 2027-28 through to 2035-36, subject to approval by the Senedd.
The Welsh government said the decade-long relief would provide ratepayers and local authorities with greater certainty and support the rollout of infrastructure needed to help drivers switch to electric vehicles.
Jones said the transition to electric vehicles would only work if drivers could rely on adequate charging infrastructure.
“We want to see a thriving charging network right across Wales, including in the areas that need it most, so that nobody is left behind,” she said.
The minister added that the relief would remove a potential investment barrier by giving charging operators greater certainty over their costs and reducing the risk of unexpected rates bills.
“Providing this support for a full decade sends a clear signal that Wales is serious about building a charging network we can all depend on,” Jones said.