Who should be responsible for increasing the electric vehicle charging infrastructure?

18 April 2019

Electric vehicle (EV) uptake is slow. However, manufacturers are rapidly accelerating their plans to provide a number of new models using the technology, in a bid to combat potential fines for missing CO2 targets.

One thing that is standing in the way of the market accelerating is a lack of charging infrastructure. Across Europe, there are various plans in place to increase the number of vehicle charge points, yet there is no clear consensus on who should lead responsibility on this task.

The European automobile association ACEA has called for a large investment in infrastructure, while manufacturers such as Volkswagen are getting involved in their own initiatives to bring EV charging to the masses.

With so many different voices making claims and plans, the issue can easily get confused, especially if one group decides to rely on the power or resources of the other. Autovista Group is asking who should be solely responsible for increasing the electric vehicle charging network across Europe. Should Government fund expansion, or is it down to local authorities to ensure they have a budget and planning to build stations? Are oil companies responsible for alternative technologies or should responsibility fall to manufacturers who need the technology the most?

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