£63m government boost to cut EV charging costs and expand home access across England
- Perry Richardson
- Jul 12
- 3 min read
Updated: Jul 14
Electric vehicle (EV) drivers across England are set to benefit from a new £63 million government investment aimed at cutting charging costs and widening access to cheaper home energy rates.
A key feature of the funding is a £25 million scheme for local councils designed to help households without driveways access affordable home charging. Using cross-pavement technology, residents will be able to run charging cables safely beneath pavements, linking parked vehicles directly to their homes. The move is expected to save drivers up to £1,500 annually compared to the cost of running petrol or diesel vehicles.
The wider funding package supports the growth of the UK’s public EV charging network, which now includes more than 82,000 public chargepoints. A further 100,000 are forecast to be installed by the end of the decade, backed by the Government’s Local EV Infrastructure Fund and £6 billion of private investment.
A further £8 million from the investment will go to electrify NHS fleets across 200 sites in England. The upgrade is expected to save the health service £120 million in fuel and maintenance costs, with funds redirected into patient services.
The Government has also pledged to support commercial operators with a new grant scheme for depot-based charging infrastructure. This will help haulage firms, van fleets and coach operators make the switch to zero-emission vehicles. The grant follows adjustments to the Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) Mandate aimed at simplifying the transition for the industry.
Additional measures include updated signage on major roads to help EV drivers locate charging hubs. These changes will allow motorway and A-road signs to direct drivers to EV chargepoints for the first time, supporting confidence for those undertaking longer journeys.
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said the investment was aimed at cutting barriers to EV ownership and supporting the economy by reducing costs for drivers and creating jobs in the clean energy sector.
The Government has also reaffirmed a freeze on fuel duty and committed £1.6 billion to repair roads, which ministers say will offer direct financial relief to motorists.
According to the latest figures, over 382,000 EVs were sold in the UK in 2024, making it Europe’s largest EV market and the third largest globally. EV ownership is becoming more affordable, with two in five used electric vehicles now available for under £20,000 and 34 new models priced under £30,000.
Alexander said: “We are making it easier and cheaper to own an electric vehicle. We know access to charging is a barrier for people thinking of making the switch, and we are tackling that head-on so that everyone - whether or not they have a driveway - can access the benefits of going electric.
“Our investment is about more than just charging points – it's about charging up Britain's economy. I’m proud that through this boost, we are helping deliver cheaper bills for families, massive savings for the NHS to reinvest in patient care, and thousands of new green jobs.
“This is what our Plan for Change mission to grow Britain’s economy looks like in practice. We're not just boosting charging infrastructure, we're building a fairer, cleaner future where every family can benefit from cheaper, greener transport, whilst creating thousands of good jobs across the country."
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