With the UK Government revealing ambitious plans to boost the nation’s network of EV charging infrastructure, a new geospatial data project has also been launched to support the rollout.

Under the new discovery project, the Geospatial Commission will explore how location data can be used to help local authorities build the additional charge points.

As part of the Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Strategy, the UK Government will provide £1.6 billion of support to the UK market with an aim to creating a network of 300,000 public EV charging points by 2030.

Not only is this equivalent to almost five times the number of fuel pumps currently available, but it is considerably more than the roughly 42,000 charge points operating in the UK.

However, the plan noted that addressing barriers to data sharing will be important to enable decision making.

The Geospatial Commission discovery project includes workshops with 10 local authorities to identify challenges and opportunities for better use of location data in the rollout of EV charge point infrastructure.

Dr Steve Unger, Commissioner at the Geospatial Commission, said: “Location data will play a key role in planning the UK’s transition to electric vehicles and help make net zero a reality. Through this project, the Geospatial Commission will understand the challenges faced by local authorities who wish to exploit location data.

“By working together, we will be able to unlock the potential for data-driven innovation in transport.”

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The project will be undertaken by technical specialists Frazer-Nash Consultancy.

Digital Services Innovation Lead at Frazer-Nash Consultancy Matthew Perrin said: “Geospatial data is vital to planning, installing, and running an effective charging infrastructure for electric vehicles. We are really looking forward to working with the Geospatial Commission and local authorities on this important study, providing our expertise in geospatial data and discovery to enable this important step on the UK’s journey to net zero.”

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