Written evidence submitted by Dr Nicole Bulawa

Introduction

Dr Nicole Bulawa is a Lecturer in Marketing at Lancaster University Management School. She has led several mobility-related projects. For over two years, she was the lead researcher on a project examining the legitimisation of electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure in the UK. Her work in this area has been published in a scholarly journal and the media.

Response to call

The response to the call for evidence focuses on the most significant factors affecting consumer confidence in EVs with special emphasis on the EV infrastructure and on the further action that is needed to ensure a timely EV infrastructure rollout. It is based on data that Dr Nicole Bulawa collected from EV drivers and practitioners, such as charging operators, manufacturers, energy suppliers, and local authorities, as part of her UK EV Infrastructure Project. This is supplemented with robust secondary evidence.

1.  What are the most significant factors affecting consumer confidence in EVs, including purchase and running costs, charge point availability, concerns about battery longevity, safety and fire risk, and what are the best steps Government and the sector could take to address them?

The data outlines five main factors influencing consumer confidence in EVs or the EV infrastructure. These are: a. range anxiety, b. poor access to information about EVs, c. the handling of charge points, d. charge point availability and reliability; and e. physical design of EV charging locations.

1.               Response: Our research shows that range anxiety is a relevant and widespread concern for people who have not opted for an EV yet. Several EV drivers have referred to comments made in forums or among their social circles about the fear of not being able to reach one's destination due to insufficient charge. One EV driver explained: “I can see that people are nervous. They don't know what to do. They are afraid about range.” However, this concern is not shared by EV drivers themselves. Several EV drivers have stated that they are mindful of their EV's battery level while driving, but that they develop an understanding of how far they can travel on a single charge.

Recommendations: While newer EV models with larger range capacities should ease range anxiety, this should be supported by government-backed campaigns and mandates on realistic range benchmarks. Public campaigns should focus on real-life mobility use cases, as opposed to technical charge ranges. These campaigns should highlight everyday scenarios, showing how easily errands, school runs, weekend travel and commuting can be done using EVs, and illustrate typical charging intervals. Another recommendation is to provide more accurate range information at the point of sale and in online listings, as well as information on charging intervals corresponding to journeys under UK driving conditions.

2.              Response: Poor access to information about EVs is shaping consumer confidence. EV drivers described how difficult it was to gain sufficient knowledge on EVs: “There was nothing straightforward about it at all and even getting information about the electric vehicles on offer was hard work and there was no information.” As a result, they relied on informal sources, such as social media groups for EV drivers, before opting for an EV. While these groups have been described as helpful, concerns have been raised about the lack of guidance for people considering switching to EVs and for new EV drivers who are unfamiliar with EV charging specifics. For example, drivers may not know which type of charger is compatible with their vehicle.

Recommendations: A publicly funded independent EV information hub should be established to offer simple, standardised information on vehicle choice, charging types, charger compatibility, tariffs and day-to-day EV use. Short and simple onboarding guidance aimed at new EV drivers should be provided and distributed via dealerships or leasing providers. This would reduce the reliance of EV drivers on informal sources. 

3.               Response: Due to their non-standardised design and functionality, the handling of charge points is also affecting how confident EV drivers are when it comes to charging. EV drivers and practitioners referred to the differences in operating one charge point compared to another, the different setups (with or without a cable), as well as the compatibility between charge point and EV (e.g. for DC / 'fast charging'). Another recurring theme was the need for numerous charging apps: “...one of the big criticisms by most EV drivers is that on your mobile device, you have a folder of your EV charging apps, and there would be about 20 in.” This is because either an app is needed to access a charge point, or cheaper charging prices are offered to app users.

Recommendations: Streamline existing UK charge point design standards and extend usability standards to cover physical design, interface operations and the charging procedure. Ensure that EV drivers can access favourable pricing by introducing a roaming obligation for EV operators. This limits EV driver reliance on single-operator apps.

4.              Response: While EV charge point availability is the primary consideration (i.e. whether they are close by or on the route), the number of charge points is also factored in. This enables EV drivers to reduce waiting times and increases the likelihood of successful charging due to concerns about reliability.  In our study, EV drivers acknowledged that the reliability of EV charge points has improved considerably over time, yet concerns remain when using single charge points (e.g. outside charging hubs, at hotels or in town car parks). For this reason, EV drivers in the study referred to using the same charging points where possible, i.e. those known to work.

Recommendations: The UK Government should provide targeted subsidies to support investments in charging infrastructure maintenance and monitoring systems. In addition, skills development programmes for technicians should be supported, particularly in areas where EV charge points are less reliable.

5.               Response: Both practitioners and female electric vehicle drivers expressed concerns about the physical design of EV charging locations. While charge point operators mentioned site safety as part of the evaluation process for potential charging points, it was highlighted that the location of charge points on-site also influences how safe people feel: 'Charge points are often located at the back or dodgy end of car parks, where it is dark and creepy.'

Recommendations: Beyond technical specifications, safety considerations should be incorporated into best practice guidance for charge point operators and public charging infrastructure planning. This will help ensure charging locations are well lit and clearly visible, as well as being situated in areas generally considered safe.

2.     What further action is required to ensure that the rollout of EV charging infrastructure facilitates transition at the necessary rate?

Response: During our UK EV Infrastructure Project, charge point operators emphasised how difficult it is to identify suitable locations for charge points. This process is labour-intensive and involves conducting various assessments. These include identifying areas with poor EV charge point coverage, assessing an area's demographic potential as a charging location and evaluating a location's suitability for a charge point (i.e. determining grid connection feasibility).  Even if a suitable location with accessible grid infrastructure is found, operators still face difficulties: “Getting access to the people who control the infrastructure on the ground and getting them to say: ‘come on’.” Furthermore, grid connections are costly.  This is an issue for charge point operators intending to install charge points in rural areas of the UK, which are less commercially lucrative yet necessary to facilitate the rollout of adequate EV charging infrastructure across the country.   

Recommendations: The development of a nationally coordinated spatial planning dataset for EV infrastructure integrating data on existing charge points, grid capacity, demographic indicators and land ownership could significantly reduce duplicated assessment work across charge point operators. In parallel, a clear set of criteria for EV charge point development, formulated in coordination with local authorities and distribution network operators, could facilitate a quicker approval of planning applications for suitable sites.

January 2026