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The Government Spending Review delivered by Chancellor Rachel Reeves today has allocated £15.6bn between 2027 and 2031 for transport projects in English city regions outside London.
On electric vehicles, as part of its Clean Energy mission, it has committed £2.6bn over Phase 2 to decarbonise transport.
This includes £1.4bn to support continued uptake of electric vehicles, including vans and heavy goods vehicles (HGVs).
There is also £400m for the further rollout of charging infrastructure, building on the almost 80,000 public charging devices already available.
It is also providing £1.2bn funding for young people to enter training and upskilling programmes.
The response from the sector was qualified. National Franchised Dealers Association CEO Sue Robinson said: “The Government’s Spending Review sets a crucial tone for the coming years and while it is welcome to see investment directed toward infrastructure, skills and EVs, Chancellor Rachel Reeves MP’s review, like the Spring Statement, has left some issues in the dark.
“NFDA acknowledges this investment for EVs, however the Government needs to clarify how this £1.4bn will be spent and we still remain of the view that the Government needs to be incentivising consumers to purchase a new vehicle by improving charging infrastructure as well as addressing EV tax hikes.”
Vicky Edmonds, chief executive of EVA England also welcomed the EV input but said how it is spent is crucial.
“What matters now is how this funding will be spent. We urgently need clarity to ensure drivers remain at the heart of this investment, via targeted incentives that render EVs more affordable and accessible, alongside a continued rollout of public charging infrastructure.”
