On the Road to Zero

In order to meet the medium to long term low emission vehicle uptake ambitions, the UK needs an accessible, affordable and safe charging infrastructure network for electric vehicles.

A lack of charge points is often cited in consumer research as a key reason as to why some people will not consider buying an electric vehicle. Increasing the access to and availability of charge points is key.

The Automated and Electric Vehicles Bill received Royal Assent on the 19th July 2018, becoming the Automated and Electric Vehicles Act 2018. However, it contains a Commencement Order which means that most sections will need to be enacted by regulation at the Order of the Secretary of State for Transport via a statutory instrument.

The Act also confers onto Government the powers to force certain retailers to install charging points, for example, in large fuel stations and motorway service stations and also to ensure that these points are ‘smart’, i.e. they allow for functionality, information and payment to be offered at one point including options for remote payment.

The Government, within their “Road to Zero” strategy, also proposes every new non-domestic building as well as every non-domestic building undergoing major refurbishment, with more than 10 car parking spaces, must have one charge 8 point with cable routes for an electric vehicle charge point for one in five spaces. The proposal, insofar as existing non-domestic buildings, is a requirement for at least one charge point with more than 20 car parking spaces, from 2025.

The current position appertaining to business rates is uncertain. There is no specific reference to electric charging points in the VO Rating Manual. Whilst many may be valued as part of a forecourt throughout which is all embracing, in terms of supermarkets and office blocks, the taxation position is likely to depend upon who operates the system and the outcome of the ATM case on the issue of paramount occupation currently proceeding through the Supreme Court.

Electric vehicles will occupy a space as would a car simply using the car park, that space is already reflected in Rateable Values. There may be a marginal increase in value for the exclusivity of the facility.

The Government should address the uncertainty ahead of the Revaluation in 2022. We would urge the Government to specifically exempt electric vehicle charging points from business rates to provide certainty and make a real statement of intent by exempting the associated car parking space from Rateable Values altogether.