The UK’s transition to electric vehicles (EVs) has reached a significant milestone, with over 1,400 charging sockets now installed at schools and colleges nationwide
This follows on from a £3 million investment from the government’s Workplace Charging Scheme (WCS), which aims to expand the availability of charging infrastructure, particularly in places that are regularly used in the community.
More charging points in the community
As of February 2025, these new charging points introduced over the past year are helping make EV charging more accessible for school staff, parents, and visitors.
The is part of the government’s wider effort to increase the number of charging stations in the UK, in line with its plans to become a clean energy superpower. The scheme has already seen success, with over 59,000 charging sockets funded for workplace car parks since 2016 and an additional 6,500 chargers added to workplaces in 2024 alone.
Schools, as community hubs, are ideally placed to play a pivotal role in this initiative. The new chargepoints are not only available for staff but are also accessible to local residents and visitors, helping to integrate EV charging into daily life.
The added convenience of charging in school car parks provides flexibility for EV drivers and further encourages the adoption of electric cars. The charging points also offer schools a potential revenue stream, as they can charge for use, supporting their budgets and sustainability efforts.
Encouraging widespread adoption of electric cars
This rollout forms part of the government’s broader strategy to support the transition to cleaner energy. Alongside the funding for school charging points, the government has extended the WCS and the Electric Vehicle Charge point Grant for another year.
These programs are designed to provide continued support for the installation of chargepoints at flats, rental properties, schools, offices, and workplaces, further expanding the network and ensuring that drivers have more charging options at their disposal.
The UK’s public EV charging network is also growing rapidly. With more than 74,000 public chargers now available nationwide, nearly 20,000 were added in just the past year. This expansion is set to continue with an additional £200 million allocated in the 2024 Budget to power the rollout, alongside £6 billion in private investment. This will ensure that the charging infrastructure remains resilient, providing confidence to EV owners that they can charge their vehicles conveniently and reliably wherever they go.
A future that involves greener travel
In addition to expanding the charging infrastructure, the government has made other investments to promote greener travel options. Over the next few years, £300 million will be spent on creating new cycle and footpaths, encouraging more children, parents, and teachers to cycle or walk to school.
These efforts hope to reduce reliance on cars for short trips, contributing to overall emissions reductions.
In 2024, sales of electric cars hit a record high of 382,000, a 20% increase from the previous year. This increase is what makes accessible charging points important, with the UK now the largest EV market in Europe.
The availability of EVs under £20,000 and the growing affordability of charging at home are making electric cars an increasingly appealing option for many consumers.
