Northern Ireland is the only part of the UK that has seen its amount of electric vehicle (EV) chargers decrease.
That’s according to research by Volkswagen Financial Services UK, revealing that this has happened whilst the remainder of the UK has seen growth.
The report claims that the number has shrunk by 1.1 units per 100,000 people during the last three months.
Mike Todd, CEO at Volkswagen Financial Services UK, said: “It is especially concerning that the playing field is not level nationwide when it comes to charging availability – and that any region, in this case Northern Ireland, has seen a reduction in its net quantity of chargers represents a significant disincentive to further take-up there.”
People within the industry have also stated that the lack of infrastructure has become a deterrent to visitors from the rest of the UK who drive electric.
Speaking to the Belfast Telegraph, Mark McGillion, Boss of an EV charging solutions company in Coleraine, Triex EV, said: “I know a lot of people from England who refuse to drive over here because they’re so frustrated with the charging infrastructure.
“They’re pushing people towards home chargers – but 40% of people in Northern Ireland don’t have access to off-street parking, so how are you supposed to charge in your driveway if you don’t have access to it?”
Discussing the impact of poor infrastructure on his own business, Mr McGillion added: “Our EV business probably wouldn’t survive if it was solely based on the Northern Irish market.”
Government data reveals there are currently 337 public EV chargers in the country – but this needs to hit 1,000 by 2025 to remain on track with the Climate Change Act.
