Sheffield not keeping pace with electric vehicle charging rollout

Sheffield is failing to keep pace with the national rollout of electric vehicle charging points, figures reveal.
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Thinktank the Policy Exchange says there are still charging "blackspots" in regions across the UK, adding the speed of installations needs to increase to meet growing demand.

There were 112 public charging points in Sheffield at the start of January, according to figures from the Department for Transport. That is a rate of 19 per 100,000 people, lower than the UK average of 31.

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Sheffield not keeping pace with electric vehicle charging rolloutSheffield not keeping pace with electric vehicle charging rollout
Sheffield not keeping pace with electric vehicle charging rollout
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Since October 2019 – when figures began at a local authority level – Sheffield has seen 62 devices added to its supply.

Meanwhile, across the UK, an additional 5,700 devices were made available over the same period, taking the total number up to 20,800 at the start of this year.

In a bid to further boost numbers, transport minister Grant Shapps announced an extra £20 million was to be made available for local authorities.

However, a report by the Policy Exchange says the speed of the rollout needs to increase from the current rate to meet the planned ban on new petrol and diesel cars in 2030.

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It also found a gap in coverage of the charging points across the UK, claiming the Government's funding scheme for local authorities had not been evenly distributed.

Electric cars have surged in popularity with manufacturers currently supplying a record number. There were 2,238 electric vehicles licensed in Sheffield at the end of September 2020, according to latest DfT data – up by 63 per cent from 2019.

In these confusing and worrying times, local journalism is more vital than ever. Thanks to everyone who helps us ask the questions that matter by taking out a digital subscription or buying a paper. We stand together. Nancy Fielder, editor.

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