EV growth brings new challenges for local authorities
More than two million electric cars are now registered in the UK, with the Electric Car Grant, launched in July 2025, supporting many of these sales. Designed to address the high upfront cost of electric cars, the grant has helped make EV ownership more accessible for many UK residents.
Data from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) shows battery electric vehicle registrations rose by 24.2% in March 2026, reaching a record monthly high. This places increasing pressure on local authorities to continue expanding charging infrastructure and supporting EV uptake at a community level.
The government has allocated £600 million for charging infrastructure, resulting in 119,000 public chargers being built across the country. This nearly doubles the amount of fuel pumps nationwide.
This growing demand increases the need for councils to ensure charging infrastructure is implemented in an equitable and accessible way for residents.
Promoting excellence in public services
APSE (Association for Public Service Excellence) is a not for profit unincorporated association working with over 300 councils throughout the UK. Promoting excellence in public services, APSE is the foremost specialist in local authority frontline services, hosting a network for frontline service providers in areas such as waste and refuse collection, parks and environmental services, cemeteries and crematorium, environmental health, leisure, school meals, cleaning, housing and building maintenance.
.png)
.png)
