Study reveals major north-south divide in access to EV charging points – Yahoo News New Zealand

Report on UK’s EV Charging Infrastructure Disparity and its Impact on Sustainable Development Goals

Introduction

Recent data reveals a significant disparity in the distribution of public Electric Vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure across the United Kingdom. This geographical imbalance, described as a “charging postcode lottery,” presents a substantial barrier to the nation’s transition to sustainable transport. The inequitable rollout directly impacts the UK’s ability to meet key Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those related to clean energy, sustainable cities, inequality, and climate action.

Key Findings: A Geographical Divide in Infrastructure

Analysis highlights a stark contrast in charger availability between London and the South compared to northern regions of the country. This disparity undermines progress towards SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure) by failing to provide resilient and equitable infrastructure nationwide.

• Five major northern cities (Liverpool, Leeds, Manchester, Newcastle, and Sheffield), with a combined population of 2.7 million, share only 2,485 public chargers.
• In contrast, Coventry, with a population of just 350,000, possesses 2,578 chargers, surpassing the total of all five northern cities combined.
• The London borough of Westminster alone has 2,746 chargers, exceeding the collective total of Manchester, Liverpool, Leeds, Sheffield, and Newcastle.
• All top ten local authorities for charging hotspots are located in London and the South, indicating a severe regional imbalance.

Analysis of Disparity and SDG Implications

The current state of EV charger distribution creates a two-tier system that contravenes the principles of several Sustainable Development Goals.

1. SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities): The North-South divide in charging access exacerbates regional inequalities, ensuring that the benefits of the green transition are not shared equally. Drivers in northern and rural areas are left without reliable access, creating an unfair system.
2. SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities): While London boroughs advance, the lack of infrastructure in major northern cities hinders their transition to sustainable, inclusive urban centres. This failure to provide essential services for clean transport undermines the resilience and sustainability of these communities.
3. SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy): The goal of ensuring access to affordable, reliable, and modern energy is compromised when charging infrastructure is inconsistent. Without a dependable network, the transition to clean energy for transport will stall.
4. SDG 13 (Climate Action): The slow and uneven rollout of charging infrastructure is a direct impediment to urgent climate action. A successful transition to EVs is critical for reducing transport emissions, and infrastructure gaps threaten to derail national climate targets.

Case Study: Coventry’s Success in Localised SDG Implementation

Coventry serves as a key example of successful infrastructure strategy, demonstrating how targeted local action can align with SDG 11 and SDG 9. Its success is attributed to:

• A collaborative and focused strategy for public charger rollout.
• Clear local leadership and political will.
• Effective partnerships with experienced charging providers.

Coventry’s model proves that rapid and comprehensive network deployment is achievable outside of London when local authorities are equipped with the capability and confidence to execute projects effectively.

Public Perception and Barriers to Adoption

Public confidence in the charging network remains low, which is a significant barrier to EV adoption and the achievement of climate goals (SDG 13). A survey of over 11,000 UK motorists found that:

• 60% believe public charging infrastructure is unreliable.
• Only 6% think there are enough public chargers available across the UK.

Recommendations for an Equitable and Sustainable Transition

Experts warn that government funding alone is insufficient to resolve these disparities. A strategic, nationally coordinated approach is required to ensure the EV transition is fair and aligns with the UK’s commitment to the SDGs.

1. Develop a National Strategy: A joined-up, national approach is needed to provide local authorities with clear guidance, expertise, and policy frameworks for consistent delivery.
2. Address Systemic Bottlenecks: Beyond funding, systemic issues such as planning regulations and grid capacity must be addressed to empower all councils to install chargers quickly and efficiently.
3. Promote Equitable Investment: Future funding and policy must be targeted to address the regional imbalance, ensuring that progress towards SDG 7 and SDG 10 is prioritised in underserved areas.

Analysis of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy: The article focuses on the infrastructure for Electric Vehicles (EVs), which are a key part of the transition to cleaner energy sources for transportation. The lack of charging infrastructure hinders the adoption of this clean energy technology.
• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure: This is a central theme, as the article directly discusses the development of “reliable” and “resilient” infrastructure (EV chargers). It highlights the need for innovation in deploying this infrastructure, as seen in Coventry’s success with “charging gullies and street solutions.”
• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities: The article’s core argument is about the “widening gulf in access to public chargers” and the “charging postcode lottery.” This highlights a significant inequality in infrastructure access based on geographic location (North vs. South), which creates a “two-tier electric future.”
• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities: The provision of public EV charging is crucial for creating sustainable transport systems within cities. The article contrasts cities that are succeeding (Coventry, London boroughs) with those that are lagging (Liverpool, Leeds, Manchester), directly addressing the challenge of making urban areas more sustainable.
• SDG 13: Climate Action: The entire transition to electric vehicles is a national strategy to combat climate change by reducing transport emissions. The article warns that the infrastructure disparity “threatens to stall the nation’s transition to electric vehicles,” thereby impeding national climate action goals.
• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals: The article emphasizes the need for effective partnerships to solve the infrastructure problem. It praises Coventry’s “collaborative, focused strategy” involving “clear local leadership and partnerships with experienced charging providers” and calls for a “joined-up, national approach” involving government, local authorities, and private companies.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. Target 9.1: “Develop quality, reliable, sustainable and resilient infrastructure… with a focus on affordable and equitable access for all.” The article directly addresses this by highlighting the lack of reliable and equitable access to EV charging infrastructure, citing a survey where “60 per cent believe public charging infrastructure is unreliable” and describing the North-South divide as a failure of equitable access.
2. Target 10.2: “By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective of… location.” The “charging postcode lottery” is a clear example of exclusion based on location, where drivers in the North are left “idling” and face an “impossible” transition to EVs compared to those in London and the South.
3. Target 11.2: “By 2030, provide access to safe, affordable, accessible and sustainable transport systems for all.” EV charging networks are a fundamental component of a sustainable transport system. The article shows that access to this system is not available for all, as “millions elsewhere are struggling with limited and unreliable infrastructure.”
4. Target 13.2: “Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies and planning.” The rollout of EV infrastructure is a key climate change measure. The article critiques the lack of a “joined-up, national approach” and “clearer policy frameworks,” suggesting a failure to effectively integrate this measure into national planning.
5. Target 17.17: “Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships.” The article holds up Coventry as a “rare success story” precisely because of its effective partnerships, noting its success was “underpinned by clear local leadership and partnerships with experienced charging providers.” It calls for this model to be replicated elsewhere.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Number of public chargers per 100,000 people: This is a key quantitative indicator used throughout the article to demonstrate the regional disparity. For example, it states, “Coventry has over 750 chargers per 100,000 people, every one of the Northern Five has fewer than 100, and Westminster tops the chart with more than 1,300 per 100,000.”
• Absolute number of public chargers per city/region: The article uses this indicator to compare different areas. It notes that five major northern cities “share just 2,485 public chargers,” while London’s Westminster alone has “2,746 chargers.”
• Geographic distribution of charging infrastructure: The article implies this as an indicator of inequality (Target 10.2). The finding that “the entire top ten charging hotspots are in London and the South” is a direct measurement of this uneven distribution.
• Public perception of infrastructure reliability and availability: The article explicitly mentions a survey indicator to measure infrastructure quality (Target 9.1). The finding that “60 per cent believe public charging infrastructure is unreliable, while only six per cent think there are enough public chargers available” is a direct measure of public confidence and perceived quality.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Table

Source: ca.news.yahoo.com