Labour supercharges Britain’s EV revolution with £63m boost

The UK government has announced a major £63 million investment package to accelerate Britain’s electric vehicle (EV) transition, making it easier and more affordable for households, businesses, and the public sector to embrace cleaner transport as part of its Plan for Change.

Unveiled on Sunday by Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander, the wide-ranging measures are designed to break down barriers to EV adoption, slash energy costs for families and the NHS, and create thousands of green jobs across the UK. The announcement signals a firm commitment to build a fairer, greener transport system, with benefits reaching every corner of society.

Bringing charging home, even without a driveway

A cornerstone of the package is a pioneering £25 million scheme for local authorities aimed at helping households without driveways access cheaper at-home charging. Using innovative cross-pavement technology that safely runs charging cables beneath pavements, families will be able to connect their EVs to domestic electricity supplies, unlocking savings of up to £1,500 per year.

Alexander described the move as “tackling a major barrier head on,” allowing more people to benefit from EVs even in densely populated areas.

With household charging costing as little as 2p per mile, the government says this will transform access to cheaper, cleaner transport for thousands.

Powering a greener NHS

The announcement also includes an £8 million fund to electrify NHS vehicle fleets across more than 200 sites in England. The transition to electric ambulances and support vehicles is expected to generate millions in long-term fuel and maintenance savings, money that can be redirected into frontline patient care.

Health Minister Karin Smyth called it a “win-win,” saying: “We’re investing in green energy to build an NHS fit for the future — cutting pollution and saving millions in fuel costs.”

NHS Chief Sustainability Officer Chris Gormley added that the move supports the 10-Year Health Plan’s goals of cost efficiency and lower emissions: “This new £8 million investment, across 62 NHS Trusts and around 224 sites, supports the renewed commitment in the government’s 10 Year Health Plan to deliver a more sustainable NHS while also helping hospitals to save millions on fuel and maintenance costs and reducing air pollution. These savings can be reinvested directly into frontline care, ensuring the NHS continues to deliver for our patients and communities.”

Boosting business and long-haul travel

The package also includes a new grant scheme to support businesses in installing EV charging points at depots nationwide. Designed to help fleets of lorries, vans, and coaches transition to zero emissions, the programme will bolster sustainability in the freight and logistics sector – a key UK industry employing over 1.2 million people.

To support long-distance EV travel, the government will modernise road signage, making it easier for drivers to locate public charge points on major A-roads and motorways. With EV charging hubs more than doubling since early 2023, the change is seen as vital for improving driver confidence and accelerating adoption.

Industry leaders including Edmund King, president of the AA, and CEOs from InstaVolt, Osprey, and ChargeUK welcomed the move, praising the government for making public infrastructure more visible and accessible.

Vicky Read, CEO of ChargeUK said: “With 82,000 public charge points already installed across the UK, this positive action on strategic road signage will help more drivers see the extensive charging network that’s rapidly being built across the country.”

Building on strong foundations

The latest investment builds on £400 million already committed to EV infrastructure and follows updates to the UK’s Zero Emission Vehicle Mandate. The country now boasts over 82,000 public charge points – with one added every 30 minutes – and aims to surpass 180,000 by the end of the decade.

The UK was Europe’s largest EV market in 2024, with more than 382,000 electric vehicles sold – a 20% rise year-on-year – and now ranks third globally behind China and the US.

Electric vehicles are becoming more accessible than ever, with 40% of used EVs now selling for under £20,000 and 34 new models priced under £30,000.

Transport Secretary Alexander framed the investment as a key part of Labour’s broader Plan for Change to drive economic growth while making everyday life more affordable for working families.

“Our investment is about more than just charging points – it’s about charging up Britain’s economy,” she said. “We’re not just boosting charging infrastructure, we’re building a fairer, cleaner future where every family can benefit from cheaper, greener transport, whilst creating thousands of good jobs across the country.”