The UK government is pumping £65 million into kerbside EV charging, aiming to tackle one of the biggest barriers to electric car adoption—convenient access to chargers. With millions relying on street parking, this move should, in theory, make life easier for urban EV owners. But is it enough?
The Plan
The investment is split across two key players: Connected Kerb—one of the UK’s leading on-street charging providers—and Aviva, through the National Wealth Fund. Their goal? To install more than 10,000 new charging points across the country, giving residents without driveways a practical alternative to public rapid chargers.
Why This Matters
Home charging is a luxury in many cities. If you’re one of the lucky ones with a driveway, plugging in overnight is simple. But for the estimated 40% of UK drivers who park on the street, charging remains a frustrating experience. More kerbside chargers should mean fewer petrol-car temptations and a smoother transition to EV ownership.
The project aims to focus on residential areas, helping those who can’t rely on dedicated workplace or retail chargers. The chargers themselves are expected to be slow or fast chargers (7kW-22kW) rather than high-powered rapid chargers, making them ideal for overnight top-ups.
The Challenge
While 10,000 chargers sounds impressive, it barely scratches the surface. To keep up with demand, industry experts estimate that the UK needs at least 300,000 public chargers by 2030. As of early 2025, there are less than 60,000 in total. So, while this investment is a step in the right direction, it’s a small one compared to the scale of the challenge ahead.
Then there’s the issue of charging speed. Most kerbside chargers operate at 7kW, meaning a full charge on a typical EV could take 8-12 hours. That’s fine if you can plug in overnight, but for those needing a quick boost, it’s far from ideal.
What’s Next?
This funding injection will help, but it won’t solve the UK’s charging woes overnight. We need wider rollout, better grid infrastructure, and a mix of charging speeds to keep up with EV adoption. That said, if you’re an EV owner without a home charger, you might start seeing more convenient charging options appearing on your street soon.
Is this investment enough to make EV charging fairer for all? Or is it just a drop in the ocean? Let us know what you think.
