The Department for Transport (DfT) is inviting views on a series of measures that aims to make electric vehicle (EV) charging points more widely available and accessible.
They would give government powers to support the rollout of charging and hydrogen fuelling infrastructure and improve consumer access through the Modern Transport Bill.
Some of the measures include making information about the location of public charging stations available via an online database and mobile phone apps, ensuring drivers can access charge points without the need for multiple memberships from individual providers and making pricing information for electricity and hydrogen fuels “consistent and transparent”.
The government also aims to support smart electric vehicle charging that is flexible to grid demands and encourage the rollout of hydrogen refuelling stations through franchising.
It has pledged more than £600 million over this parliament, which it said has helped boost the uptake as the number of new ultra-low emission vehicles registered rose by 250% in two years.
There are currently more than 11,000 public charging points across the UK.
The consultation is open until 23rd November 2016.
The DfT is also consulting separately on the proposed transposition of the Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Directive. The Europe-wide legislation aims to further promote the rollout of charging facilities for vehicles that run on electricity, hydrogen and other clean fuels.
The government is investing £4 million to help businesses switch their vans and trucks to electric vehicles and £35 million to boost the uptake of ultra-low emission cars and scooters.
Clean energy technologies will be part of the discussions at the Energy Live 2016 conference in London next week. There are limited free tickets for energy end users and university students.
