It’s clear that electric vehicles (EV’s) are becoming a serious option for consumers, with the uptake significantly increasing for both personal and commercial use. Despite a slowdown throughout the Covid pandemic, and global shortages of vital EV components, the EV market is booming, in fact, UK EV sales increased by over 76% in 2021, with an estimated 1.15m Electric, and Hybrid vehicles are now on our roads, meaning that over 2% of vehicles on our roads need to be plugged in!
EV sales accounted for circa 11% of new vehicle sales in 2021 with an estimated 34% of vehicles in the UK being electric by 2030.
The UK will need around 400,000 public charging stations by 2030 in order to cope with demand, but owing to the remoteness and geography of many parts of the South West, will it be able to cope with the surge in demand? In the short-term the answer is no, but what can be done to bring region’s charging infrastructure up to speed?Adapting to change
With the cost of living and business overheads escalating, it’s evident that switching to EV’s is one solution to reducing costs, and with the proposed ban on new petrol and diesel vehicle sales in 2030, the market for EV’s is only expected to increase!
With this change being only 8 years away, motorists will need to adapt from the convenience of a quick “fill and go” and plan their journeys much more carefully and consider charging stops enroute.
EV’s typically have a range of between 150- 300 miles, and with public charging stations currently being few and far between with the South-West, the EV infrastructure will certainly need to improve.What are EV charging station operators looking for?
EV charging station sites vary greatly depending on location, size, and electricity supply capacities to the location. They range from 2 charging stations in a pub car park, to 12 charging stations along with on-site facilities such as toilets and a café.
Charging Stations require good access to main roads, sufficient power output from the grid, and necessary planning consent- with the latter being a hot topic in Government at present and applications being looked at favourably by local councils.
Charles Darrow has numerous requirements from the UK’s largest EV charging companies. Both Freehold, and leasehold sites are highly sought after across the South-West, with many landlords and landowners set to benefit from high premiums and robust rents.
How can Charles Darrow help?
Whilst demand for suitable EV charging stations remains high, we believe there is a real opportunity for landowners to capitalise on these opportunities and add serious value to their existing assets, whether it’s a small office block with space for 2 charging stations, pub companies with large parking provisions or local councils looking to introduce charging stations to enhance their commercial assets.
Charles Darrow has the specialist contacts, and regional agents to match the best EV charging operator with your available space, if you feel you have a suitable property, please contact us for a free assessment.
Charles Darrow is a South West, regional property agency, which specialises in Commercial Property, Business Sales and Auctions For more information visit www.charlesdarrow.co.uk or call 01626 330022 or email: enquiries@charlesdarrow.co.uk