Inside UK's huge £25m EV boost for Brits who don't have a drive
Brit electric vehicle (EV) owners are set to benefit from a huge new round of government funding that will improve access to home chargers for everyone — regardless of whether they have a driveway or not.
A new £63 million investment is set to accelerate Britain's EV revolution, taking a significant step in the switchover from internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles to electric. One of the central features of the initiative is a £25 million scheme for local authorities focused on improving access to at-home charging for households without off-street parking.
Through cross-pavement charging technology, cables will be routed safely beneath pavements to connect parked EVs to home electricity supplies. This tech enables families to tap into cheaper domestic electricity rates at around two pence per mile, potentially saving up to £1,500 a year compared to running an ICE vehicle.
The new initiative will build on the UK's ever-growing charging network, which has already reached 82,000 public charge points, with an additional 100,000 expected by 2030 through the government's Local EV Infrastructure Fund, as well as £6 billion of private investment. The NHS will also benefit from an £8 million fund aimed at upgrading over 200 medical sites to electric fleets.
Health Minister Karin Smyth branded the move a 'win-win' that will result in 'cheaper travel for the NHS and cleaner air for our communities'. More than 1,200 charging sockets are being rolled out with the aim of reducing emissions and generating long-term savings for the health service, in turn allowing these funds to be reinvested in patient care. Hospitals are expected to save millions on fuel and maintenance costs.
The government will also provide grants to help businesses nationwide install chargepoints at their depots. This move supports the transition of heavy goods vehicles, vans and coaches to zero-emission alternatives.
Another £400 million, as announced in the spending review, will be used to boost EV charging along strategic road networks to ensure the infrastructure keeps pace with demand, particularly for longer journeys. To help drivers locate charging points more easily, signage will also be improved on major A-roads, directing motorists to nearby EV hubs — these hubs have more than doubled since 2023.
Support from industry voices has been strong, with Edmund King of the AA saying: "There are more public chargers than people realise, but they are often hidden in plain sight. Increasing signs for the public network is vital to help the EV transition."
This investment is part of the government's Plan for Change, designed to accelerate the move to net zero, back British manufacturing and create greener jobs across the UK, all the while lowering transport costs for families.
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