Midlands employers can help accelerate the UK’s switch to electric vehicles by providing charging facilities at their workplaces, according to one specialist in the area.
A survey, conducted by YouGov on behalf of global vehicle charging manufacturer CTEK, suggests that more than half the region’s drivers would be more likely to switch to EVs if they could charge at work.
Cecilia Routledge, global director for energy and facilities at battery charging specialist CTEK, said: “This shows how important workplace charging is to the overall development of the UK’s charging infrastructure.
“Employers can not only help their workers and the UK’s drive towards net zero, they can also make themselves more attractive to potential recruits.
“Early adopters of EVs tended to have access to a driveway or garage where they could install home charging units. But as the market penetration of EVs grows, more people who do not have off-street parking will have EVs and need a reliable place to charge away from home.”
She said the survey found that only 56 per cent of EV owners are now charging at home (down from 78 per cent in 2021), with 20 per cent charging at work.
The YouGov survey of more than 4,000 UK adults discovered that younger non-EV drivers were even more likely to switch to EVs if there was charging at work.
Ms Routlegde said: “Younger employees are a key recruitment target for many employers faced with hard to fill vacancies and skills gaps.
“Younger people are also a demographic less likely to be home owners and more likely to live in housing without off-street parking and access to home chargers for EVs.
“So there are multiple reasons for employers who have staff car parks to install EV charging points, plus the incentive of the UK Government’s grants of thousands of pounds for up to 75% of the project costs.”
The EV Infrastructure Grant Scheme (IGS) means UK registered businesses with less than 250 employees can claim grants of up to £15,000 – and can claim five grants in total for five separate sites.
At each site, there must be a minimum of five clearly marked staff-only parking spaces with charging infrastructure installed, and at least one of those spaces must have an active charge point.
