Electric vehicle (EV) owners in the UK are increasingly frustrated by the state of the country’s charging infrastructure. A driver, who recently bought a Volkswagen electric car, expressed how he felt “ripped off” after waiting for hours at a service station to charge his car at what he considered abusive prices. You are not alone in your frustration, as many drivers share the same experiences of long lines and high costs at charging points across the country.
The situation at Leigh Delamere is not unusual. A study by Vauxhall earlier this year revealed that two-thirds of local authority areas in the UK do not have roadside chargers for electric vehicles. This lack of infrastructure is particularly striking in regions such as Cumbria, Somerset and Yorkshire.
In addition to the lack of charging points, electric vehicle owners often face high prices for charging their vehicles. A charging station in South Wales is reportedly the most expensive in the UK, charging 76 pence per kilowatt-hour. This represents a significant increase compared to last year’s rate of 44 pence per kWh.
The issues surrounding electric vehicle charging go beyond the UK. A British tourist has told of her difficulties finding charging points while on holiday in Italy. It also highlights the potential shortage of mechanics trained to repair electric vehicles, which could result in higher repair costs for owners.
While the UK government has announced plans to ban the sale of new petrol and diesel cars from 2030, many are calling for the implementation of this ban to be delayed until charging infrastructure is improved and more reliable. . With the growing popularity of electric vehicles, it is imperative that charging infrastructure keep pace with demand to avoid more frustrating experiences for electric vehicle owners.
