EV charge points target achievable, council says

By the end of September, there were 375 electric vehicle public charge points, Surrey County Council said

A target to install hundreds of new public on-street electric vehicle charge points in the next three years is still "achievable", Surrey County Council (SCC) has said.

The aim is to have 2,000 by February 2028 and 2,500 by 2030. But at the end of September this year, the total stood at 375.

Matt Furniss, cabinet member for highways, transport and economic growth, said one of the main issues had been getting power connections in place.

UK Power Networks said it was helping the council and a connection provider with grid connections.

A council document said the latest figures showed that the "challenging target remains achievable", but "progress has been slower than planned."

It added that while the first phase of installation had been completed, there had been problems with obtaining power connections to the mains grid and the subsequent installation of power meters.

'Extreme pressure'

Residents' Association and Independent Group Leader Catherine Powell said there had been issues with four electric vehicle charge points in her Farnham North area.

"First notification to residents they were being installed in January. Oops, that didn't happen. Tried again in March," she said.

"We're stood here in October and there's still just lines on the ground and a pole, no power."

Furniss said: "Our particular issue with the charge points is obtaining that power connection. That has been an absolutely crucial thing, and we're not alone in that.

"I can say that the Merrow depot, for example, we are still waiting, I think, about four or five years for a connection for our EV charge points there. We're currently using solar and battery instead.

"So UK Power Networks is under extreme pressure across the whole country, it's not just us to deal with that, but I am confident that we will meet our 2028 target."

UK Power Networks said the company "continues to support all local authorities in our area deliver on their electric charging strategy and there is enough power to ensure that all chargers can be connected".

"In Surrey, an Independent Connection Provider has been working with the council's charging infrastructure provider on the grid connections, and we are helping them."