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<p>Government funding and leadership, alongside private sector investment, has supported
the installation of more than 21,000 public chargepoints. This includes over 2,100
rapid chargepoints – one of the largest networks in Europe. The Government has already
allocated further funding. In August it was announced that funding for local authorities
through the On-street Residential Chargepoint Scheme (ORCS) would be doubled this
financial year increasing from £2.5 to £5 million. Since 2017, 54 local authorities
have applied and the ORCS will have helped deliver approximately 2500 chargepoints
by the end of March 2020. Earlier this month the Treasury launched a £400m public-private
Charging Infrastructure Investment Fund, with the first £70 million allocated for
3000 rapid chargepoints, which will double the number across the UK.</p><p> </p><p>In
July, it was announced that the Government would launch a review into the national
core rapid charging network along motorways and major A roads. We also want to ensure
that chargepoints are easily accessible for all drivers which is why the Government
announced in July that we want to see all new rapid and higher powered chargepoints
provide debit or credit card payment by spring 2020.</p><p> </p><p>Most charging will
continue to happen at people’s homes or workplaces. To support this we have launched
a consultation, running from July to October 2019, on proposals for new private chargepoints
to have smart functionality and related minimum device standards. Smart functionality
will enable electric vehicles to charge off peak, reducing costs for consumers and
demands on the energy system. We are also consulting to the same timescale on changing
Building Regulations to require a chargepoint in every new home where there is an
appropriate parking space, and minimum infrastructure provision in new non-residential
buildings.</p>
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