Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask His Majesty's Government what consideration they have given to providing a standing charge relief for electric vehicle (EV) charge point operators connecting in rural areas; and what other incentives they are considering to improve the network of EV charge points, particularly in rural areas.

The setting of standing charges associated with tariffs is a commercial matter for suppliers, and suppliers have the flexibility in how they structure their tariffs. Ofgem regulates standing charges, as they do with other elements of billing. The Government is pleased that Ofgem is considering the issue of standing charges through their recent Call for Input and industry led working groups. Solutions would be implemented across electric vehicle (EV) charging sites, including those situated in rural areas.

Our £381 million Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Fund aims to address regional charging inequality and transform the availability of EV charging for drivers. The data-led allocation model to award funding considers the level of rurality with local authorities in rural areas allocated additional funding compared to urban ones.