Transport Decarbonisation Plan

Progress report two years on | June 2023

We will ensure the UK’s charging infrastructure network meets the demands of its users

We will increasingly focus government efforts on putting in place a policy and regulatory framework that supports increased investment and competition whilst meeting the needs of consumers.

Official estimates suggest that by 2030 around a quarter of cars and vans, or some 10 million vehicles, will be electric. These vehicles will require at least 300,000 public charging points, a huge increase on the fewer than 25,000 points which existed at the end of last year. Some estimates peg the capital required at up to £18 billion by 2030. That figure – which covers charge point devices, site preparation and installation – does not include the costs of land, or investment in the grid, by operators of the distribution network.

Not meeting demand – November 2022

We will support and nurture innovation in the UK automotive sector

As announced as part of the Prime Minister’s Ten Point Plan for a Green Industrial Revolution, nearly £500 million of funding for the Automotive Transformation Fund (ATF) will be made available in the next four years to invest in capital and R&D projects to build an internationally competitive electric vehicle supply chain.

The Government is providing a comprehensive package of support to facilitate this transition. Up to £1 billion to support the electrification of UK vehicles and their supply chains at pace. The first £500 million of this through the Automotive Transformation Fund BEIS BEV005 (ATF) over the next four years. £1.3 billion over the next four years to support the continued roll-out of chargepoints on motorways and major roads, in homes and businesses and on-street. Government is also supporting the deployment of rapid chargepoints. Government has provided additional funding for the Plug-in Vehicle Grants, bringing the total to £582m and will incentivise consumers to transition to zero emission vehicles.

Note: There is no equivalent in rail.

We will invest £15 million in 2021/22 to help address the backlog in traffic signal maintenance to improve traffic flow and reduce emissions

We will review the National Networks National Policy Statement

£15 million of investment in 2021/22 will help highway authorities to make their signals working effectively again.

39 councils in England have been awarded a share of £15 million additional funding to upgrade and repair traffic signals, which will make traffic in their areas flow better, and therefore reduce air pollution and congestion.

Both cars and vans show the potential for relatively fast reductions in emission ahead of 2050, due to current efficiency measures, and the ability to build on the existing deployment of zero emission vehicles.

The review of the national networks national policy statement is being progressed as part of the government’s Nationally significant infrastructure projects action plan, which will ensure that the planning process for the development of projects is as clear and efficient as possible.

March 2023