The UK’s transition to electric vehicles (EVs) is well underway, with local authorities playing a critical role in ensuring charging infrastructure is available to serve current drivers and encourage further uptake. As demand for EVs rises and the government targets the rapid expansion of public charging infrastructure, insights from the latest Believ Local Authority Insight Report reveal both significant progress and persistent challenges on the road ahead.
The report is based on interviews with 101 councillors from 101 different local authorities who have either full or partial responsibility for their local EV infrastructure rollouts. This represents more than a quarter of England, Scotland and Wales’ local authorities. Detailing progress since 2022, it is the third local authority insight report from Believ, and the only piece of research of its kind.
Local authority progress and momentum
There has been a remarkable increase in EV adoption – over 1.7 million EVs are now on UK roads, and more than 20% of new car sales are electric. Local councils are responding: three-quarters have formal EV rollout plans, and 74% have issued, or are about to issue, tenders for new charge points. Thanks to these coordinated efforts and recent government support, the UK has almost 87,000 public charge points in a national charging network that now covers more than 44,000 locations.
Challenges hindering EV infrastructure rollout
Despite this momentum, barriers remain. Budget constraints continue to top the list, with 63% of councils identifying national government funding as a major challenge, and 75% citing resourcing and local funding issues. Ongoing delays in grid connections, logistical hurdles, and complex procurement processes are slowing progress. And there are calls for greater national government guidance as many councils also grapple with uncertainty about where to prioritise new installations, and a fast-moving regulatory landscape.
Driving EV accessibility and inclusion
A key theme in this year’s report is accessibility, with about 60% of councils either having an accessibility plan in place or working on one. With over 1.3 million disabled drivers relying on public charging infrastructure, accessible design is critical. However, balancing space limitations and the requirements of accessibility standards remains problematic; more than half of councils say accessible bays are a challenge, and 42% want clearer central government guidance on best practice. Delivering accessible charging solutions is not only about compliance, it’s about ensuring equal opportunity for all drivers.
A positive development on this topic is the recent review on the BSI PAS1899 accessibility standard, which has taken the views of local authorities and CPOs, including Believ, to make recommendations for how local authorities can access more practical advice for creating inclusive EV charging networks. We are committed to working with our supply chain, actively participating and contributing to developing PAS 1899, and are looking forward to seeing recommendations come into effect.
Regional imbalance
A regional divide persists, with 44% of public charge points concentrated in London and the Southeast. The government’s LEVI programme, further supplemented by the recent Autumn Budget funding, are positive steps toward targeted investment in underserved areas. Believ and other industry partners are working closely with local authorities to ensure solutions are scalable, sustainable, and tailored to each region’s unique needs.
Policy Support and industry partnership
Recent policy initiatives – including the Autumn Budget’s business rates relief for CPOs, extended EV grant schemes, and further dedicated funding for on-street charging – signal government intent to accelerate EV adoption. However, continued collaboration between local authorities, charge point operators, and central government is essential to addressing ongoing funding, staffing, and grid connection challenges.
Looking Forward
Local authorities hold a pivotal role in ensuring that no community is left behind in the transition to cleaner transport. By embracing expert partnerships, championing accessible charging, and leveraging targeted government support, local authorities can drive meaningful progress toward the UK’s EV future.
To discover more insights or discuss how Believ can help your council advance your EV rollout, contact us today.
Our methodology
For this research, one hundred and one local councillors from 101 local authorities across England, Scotland, and Wales were surveyed. We commissioned the independent research agency Coleman Parks to conduct the survey using CATI (telephone methodology) with fieldwork completed in Q1 2025. Of those interviewed, councils were classified as urban (37), Semi-rural (41) and rural (23). The broad region split across the country was South – excluding London (22) South including London (32), North excluding Wales / Scotland (50) and North, including Wales / Scotland (69).
