Electric Vehicles: Charging Points

(asked on 13th January 2020) - View Source

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what are the main terms of the contract held by Ecotricity for the provision of electric charging points at motorway services; who are the parties to this contract; and whether it covers the (1) provision of prompt repair of charging points when required, (2) regular maintenance of those charging points, and (3) 24-hour helpline for motorists using those services.


Answered by
Baroness Vere of Norbiton Portrait
Baroness Vere of Norbiton
Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)
This question was answered on 27th January 2020

This contract is a commercial matter between Ecotricity and the Motorway Service Areas (MSAs).

The Government recognises the urgent need for a joined up and reliable charging provision on the strategic road network and is working with industry to ensure this is established. Highways England has dedicated funding of £15m to ensure that its total network is within 20 miles of an electric vehicle chargepoint. The Office for Low Emission Vehicles is currently undertaking a review (Project Rapid) into current provision and future demand for rapid and higher-powered chargepoints for cars and vans along England’s strategic road network. Should it become necessary to regulate, the Automated and Electric Vehicles Act gives the Government powers to improve the experience of using chargepoints by setting reliability and maintenance stands to ensure chargepoints are accessible and to require availability of chargepoint data including charge location, if they are available for use and whether they are in working order.

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