More public EV chargers are on the way
June 13, 2025 by Siobhan Doyle
Car changing is a big deal
Charging an electric car is about to get a whole lot easier – but be prepared for long charge times.
If you’ve been thinking about making the switch to an electric car but worried about how you’d keep it charged without a driveway, help is on the way. The UK government has just announced plans to roll out over 100,000 new public EV chargepoints across England.
New chargepoints will be installed through partnerships between local councils and chargepoint operators, thanks to funding from the government’s £381m Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (LEVI) Fund.
That means more on-street charging in towns, cities, and neighbourhoods – ideal for people who park their cars on the street and need a reliable overnight charge.
Ready to make the switch to electric? Remember you can buy a brand new or used car right here on Carwow. And you can also sell your car, too. We’re here to help you through every step of your car-changing journey.
Why does this matter?
With more chargepoints on the street, not having a driveway will no longer be a dealbreaker. These new chargepoints are designed for everyday drivers, especially those without private parking.
Driving electric can also be surprisingly affordable. Charging at home or on the street can cost as little as 2p per mile, adding up to savings of over £1,100 a year compared to running a petrol or diesel car.
EVs themselves are getting cheaper, too. Around 40% of used electric cars now cost less than £20,000, and nearly 30 brand-new models are priced under £30,000 – for example, the BYD Dolphin, Citroen e-C3, and the MG4 EV to name a few.
Range is no longer a major concern, either, the government adds. Many new electric cars can go nearly 300 miles on a single charge, easily covering long trips such as London to Newcastle without needing to stop and recharge.
Who’s behind it and what it means for you?
The rollout is a joint effort between national and local government and private companies such as Believ, which recently announced a £300m investment to deliver 30,000 chargepoints across the UK. And that’s just part of an expected £6bn in private investment going into EV infrastructure by 2030.
Future of Roads Minister, Lilian Greenwood, called it a key step in the UK’s transition to cleaner transport, saying: “We’re rolling out a chargepoint every 29 minutes and backing British carmakers to create jobs and investment – all while making it easier and cheaper for people to drive electric.”
More charging points means less stress about finding a place to plug in. Whether you’re commuting, running errands, or heading out on a road trip, EV charging will be faster, more convenient, and more accessible, according to the government.
And it’s not just about drivers. This shift is also about building a cleaner, stronger economy – with new factories, high-skilled jobs, and major investments helping to future-proof the UK’s car industry, the government added.
What to expect from on-street EV chargers
Local councils are in charge of getting EV chargers installed in their areas, and a lot of the new ones going in are on residential streets. These are usually slower chargers, which have a typical range from 3.6kW to 22kW, mainly set up for people who don’t have a driveway or somewhere off-street to plug in at home.
It’s worth knowing that these chargers aren’t the super-fast ones you might find at motorway services or charging hubs. They’re designed for longer stays, such as when you’re parked overnight or for several hours. Most will charge your car at a slower rate – enough to top up while you sleep, but not ideal if you’re in a hurry.
Here’s what that means for you:
- Charging will take a few hours, so these work best when you’re not in a rush.
- You’ll need to plan ahead, since you’ll be leaving your car plugged in for a while.
- They’re a great option if you can’t install a charger at home, like if you park on the street.
Even though they’re slower, these chargers are a big step in making EV ownership possible for more people, especially in towns and cities where off-street parking isn’t an option.
The first local authority to sign a deal under the new scheme is Suffolk County Council, and many more are expected to follow soon. That means you could start seeing new charging infrastructure in your area sooner than you think.
Car change? Carwow!
Looking for a new set of wheels? With Carwow you can sell your car quickly and for a fair price – as well as find great offers on your next one. Whether you’re looking to buy a car brand new, are after something used or you want to explore car leasing options, Carwow is your one stop shop for new car deals.
Click here to follow us on WhatsApp, where you can keep up-to-date with all the latest news, reviews, advice guides and videos.