The UK Government has announced a £63m ($84.7m) investment to “supercharge” the transition to electric vehicles (EVs) as part of its Plan for Change.

The initiative aims to make EV adoption more accessible and affordable for households, businesses and the public sector, contributing to a greener transport system.

A key component of the package is a £25m scheme for local authorities.

It aims to help households without driveways access cheaper at-home charging through innovative cross-pavement technology.

The technology allows charging cables to run beneath pavements, enabling families to connect EVs to domestic electricity supplies and save up to £1,500 annually.

UK Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said: “We are making it easier and cheaper to own an electric vehicle. We know access to charging is a barrier for people thinking of making the switch, so we are tackling that head-on so that everyone – whether or not they have a driveway – can access the benefits of going electric.” 

Additionally, an £8m fund is allocated to electrify NHS vehicle fleets across more than 200 sites in England.  

The transition to electric ambulances and support vehicles is expected to save millions in fuel and maintenance costs, which can be redirected to frontline patient care. 

UK Health Minister Karin Smyth added: “This is a win-win: cheaper travel for the NHS and cleaner air for our communities.” 

The investment package also includes a grant scheme to support businesses in installing EV charging points at depots nationwide.  

According to the government, the programme aims to assist fleets of heavy goods vehicles, vans, and coaches in transitioning to zero emissions, enhancing sustainability in the freight and logistics sector, which employs more than 1.2 million people in the UK. 

To further support long-distance EV travel, the government plans to modernise road signage, making it easier for drivers to locate public charge points on major A-roads and motorways.  

With EV charging hubs having more than doubled since early 2023, this change is crucial for improving driver confidence and accelerating EV adoption. 

The latest investment builds on £400m already committed to EV infrastructure and follows updates to the UK’s Zero Emission Vehicle Mandate.  

The UK, which was the largest EV market in Europe in 2024, sold over 382,000 EVs, marking a 20% increase from the previous year. 

Responding to the government’s announcement, Mike Hawes, the chief executive of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), said this is a “clear signal to consumers that now is the time to switch”. 

Hawes commented: “Rapid deployment and availability of this grant over the next few years will help provide the momentum that is essential to take the EV market from just one in four today, to four in five by the end of the decade. This announcement is a welcome response to consistent calls from the industry for more support, which will be in addition to the substantive subsidies already provided by manufacturers. 

“Taken with recent announcements regarding infrastructure investments and the Industrial Strategy, the UK has the opportunity to maintain its position as a leader in both the manufacture and sale of zero-emission vehicles.”