In the run-up to COP26, the UK government is calling on countries around the world to accelerate the transition to electric vehicles (EVs), which is crucial to achieving global climate targets.
As part of the plan, the government acknowledges that having the right charging infrastructure in place is crucial. Transport Secretary Grant Shapps has today announced a new British EV chargepoint design that will be unveiled at COP26 in Glasgow this November and could be seen on streets across the country from 2022.
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“Excellent design plays a key role in supporting our transition to zero-emission vehicles, which is why I want to see EV chargepoints that are as iconic and recognisable as the British phone box, London bus or black cab,” said Shapps.
“With less than 3 months to go until COP26, we continue to put the UK at the forefront of the design, manufacture and use of zero-emission vehicles and their charging infrastructure, as we build back greener and call on countries around the world to similarly accelerate the transition to electric vehicles.”
The new design will allow EV chargepoints to be more recognisable for drivers, with the goal of creating greater awareness around EVs as a vehicle option and support the EV transition. The government has appointed the Royal College of Art (RCA) and PA Consulting to deliver the design.
The announcement follows the launch of the government’s Transport decarbonisation plan, published earlier this summer. The plan sets out the UK’s path to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.
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By GlobalDataFigures from Zap Map reveal there are now over 25,000 public charging devices across the UK, which means that electric vehicle drivers are never more than 25 miles from an EV chargepoint on UK roads. This comes as recent statistics from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) show that over one in six cars sold in July 2021 had a plug.
Clive Grinyer, head of service design at the RCA, said the new EV chargepoints were “an opportunity to support the design of a future icon that will be part of our national culture as we move towards a sustainable future.”
He said: “The RCA has been at the forefront of shaping our products, mobility and services for the last 180 years. We are delighted to be playing a role in the design of the total service experience to ensure a usable, beautiful and inclusive design that is an excellent experience for all.”
