A report from the Committee of Public Accounts has highlighted significant geographical disparities in the rollout of public electric vehicle (EV) charge points across the UK.

While the Government remains on track to meet its target of 300,000 public charge points by 2030, with approximately 73,000 installed at the start of 2025, a disproportionate number are concentrated in London and the South East, leaving other regions underserved.

The Department for Transport (DfT) is funding initiatives to address the imbalance, but progress has been slow. The department initially aimed for every motorway service area to have at least six ultra-rapid charge points by the end of 2023, but as of early 2025, only 80 of 114 motorway service areas had met this target.

The department’s Rapid Charging Fund, a £950m initiative launched five years ago to future-proof electricity connections on major roads, has yet to allocate any funding.

The report also raised concerns about the accessibility and affordability of EV charging. The cost disparity between public and private charge points is stark, with public users typically paying 20% VAT compared to 5% for home charging. This issue particularly affects those without access to off-street parking, making EV ownership more expensive for lower-income households.

Drivers with disabilities have also been left behind in the rollout. Despite the creation of an accessibility standard, no charge points in the UK are currently fully compliant. The report calls on the government to act swiftly in reviewing and improving the standard to ensure inclusivity as EV adoption accelerates.

The Government committed to phasing out new petrol and diesel car sales by 2030, with all new vehicles required to be zero-emission by 2035. The Committee of Public Accounts urged the DfT to take a more strategic approach to support this transition, particularly in rural and less commercially viable areas. The department has been asked to provide updates on its progress within six months, including details on funding allocations and strategies to improve charge point accessibility and affordability.

With the UK’s EV infrastructure expanding, the report underscored the need for urgent Government action to ensure a fair, efficient, and accessible charging network that benefits all drivers, regardless of location or income level.

Matt Davies, Director of Octopus Electroverse, said: “Only a few years ago, electric car drivers had to grapple with downloading multiple apps and subscriptions at different charging brands, but that’s now in the past. Industry collaboration has transformed consumers’ public charging experience – with our app and card letting drivers charge up seamlessly at tens of thousands of charge points nationwide.

“The public charging rollout is surging, with the UK on track for 300,000 chargers by 2030. Innovations such as our ‘Plunge Pricing’ can slash costs when electricity prices drop, but to truly power up the EV transition, the Government must do more to cut charging costs for all.”