As the UK accelerates efforts to meet its net zero targets, the question of where public electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure is installed has become as important as how much is built.
In a new article in The Conversation, researchers from the Environmental Change Institute (ECI) and Transport Studies Unit (TSU) at the University of Oxford, Dr Labib Azzouz and Dr Hannah Budnitz, explore how different types of EV chargers serve different segments of society — and why location and funding models are critical to ensuring a fair and effective transition.
Their research highlights that local public charging infrastructure plays a vital role for drivers without home access, especially in lower-income urban areas and among professional drivers. Meanwhile, motorway charging stations remain essential for long-distance travel but are more likely to attract private investment.
The findings come as the UK government shifts its EV charging strategy, raising important questions about how best to allocate public funds for maximum social and environmental benefit.
Read the full article in The Conversation: Where does the UK most need more public EV chargers?