The UK automotive industry has issued a call for an electric vehicle charge point mandate to be implemented, governed by an independent regulator to ensure the network ‘levels up’.

The SMMT’s seven-point plan calls for mandated targets for infrastructure rollout, backed by an independent regulator to ensure every part of the country has accessible, available and affordable charging

The proposals come from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) and form part of its new seven-point plan to help secure the EV infrastructure required for both consumers and for the UK’s zero-emission future.

While the SMMT acknowledges that the UK government, local authorities and the charging infrastructure sector have successfully delivered a 3,000% increase in the number of standard public charge points since 2011 – and that the UK’s provision of one rapid charger per 32 battery electric vehicles (BEVs) is the best in the Western world – it highlights that standard public charging infrastructure has struggled to keep pace with EV take-up.

Data for 2021 shows BEVs and plug-in hybrids accounted for 18.5% – or more than one in six – of all new cars registered. The number of plug-in cars on the road grew by 280.3% between 2019 and 2021, but standard charge points increased by 69.8% in the same period. Meanwhile, fully electric cars in the parc rose by 586.8%, whereas rapid / ultra-rapid charger stock grew by only 82.3%.

As such, the SMMT warns that range anxiety is now being replaced by charging anxiety, undermining consumer confidence to make the EV switch.

To tackle this, it’s called for binding targets for charge point rollout as a condition of the ZEV mandate announced in last year’s Net Zero Strategy. It says a nationally coordinated and locally delivered infrastructure plan would help encourage drivers to shift to EVs, while also giving charge point operators and local authorities certainty to install the right number of the right chargers in the right places ahead of need.

The SMMT has also proposed that a new regulator, dubbed Ofcharge, would monitor the market, including charging price levels and affordability; ensuring every part of the country has accessible, available and affordable charging.

Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive, said: “The automotive industry is up for the challenge of a zero-emission new car and van market by 2035. Delivering this ambition – an ambition that would put the UK ahead of every major market in the world – needs more than automotive investment. It needs the commensurate commitment of all other stakeholders, especially the charging industry as surveys show that range anxiety has been replaced by charging anxiety.

“Our plan puts the consumer at the heart of this transition, assuring them of the best possible experience backed by an independent regulator. With clear, equivalent targets and support for operators and local authorities that match consumer needs, government can ensure the UK has a charge point network that makes electric mobility a reality for all, cutting emissions, driving growth and supporting consumers across the UK.”

As part of its seven steps to delivering consumer-centric charging infrastructure for zero emission mobility, the SMMT has urged for support to incentivise and facilitate delivery of charging infrastructure, and said work must ensure electricity networks are future-proofed and fit for purpose for zero-emission mobility.

The calls have been greeted by Connected Kerb, a leading on-street EV charging provider, which said work to tackle regional disparities in the EV transition was vital.

CEO Chris Pateman-Jones said: “Regional disparities in public electric vehicle charging rollouts must not prevent drivers from realising the huge benefits of driving electric. Only by overcoming these disparities can we achieve a fair and equal transition to cleaner transport. We welcome the SMMT’s call for new standards that would guarantee social equity in provision of charge points and ensure no one is left behind in the UK’s electric vehicle transition.”

Pateman added that councils and developers can often be put off installing electric vehicle charge points due to the perceived high up-front costs of installation and a lack of transparency over network performance and driver tariffs.

“Any new regulator should seek to cut through this confusion and encourage the use of large-scale, long-term contracts that measure operator performance, not only against economic, but also social and environmental targets,” he added.

“For the UK to deliver a full societal transition to EV, access to convenient, reliable and affordable charging infrastructure must be removed as a barrier to adoption, no matter where in the UK you happen to live.”