Fuel retailers urge Government for support to aid transition to electric vehicles

06/08/2020

ACS (the Association of Convenience Stores) has urged the Government to support fuel retailers to introduce electric vehicle (EV) charging points.

The ACS responded to a consultation from the Department for Transport (DfT) which sought views on bringing forward the end to the sale of new petrol, diesel and hybrid cars and vans from 2040 to 2035.

James Lowman, ACS chief executive, said: “A 2035 ban on the sales of petrol, diesel and hybrid cars and vehicles is an ambitious target that will require the Government and fuel retailers to invest in EV infrastructure across the UK road network.

“Fuel retailers are understandably reluctant to commit to large investments when motorists’ future behaviour is still very hard to forecast and with vehicle and charging technology still developing so quickly.”

The submission also urged the government not to use regulation to mandate the provision of EV charge points on large petrol forecourts.

Lowman added: “Using an arbitrary definition of a large forecourt or motorway services area is not the right way to plan EV infrastructure, we need to put chargers in the right locations for consumers.”

The full ACS submission can be viewed here.

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