The Chartered Institution of Highways & Transportation has published comprehensive new guidance to help local authorities plan, deliver and maintain reliable and accessible public electric vehicle charging infrastructure ahead of the UK’s net zero transition.
Titled Rolling out Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure: Advice for Local Authorities, the document sets out practical, evidence-based recommendations to support councils as national policy accelerates the shift away from petrol and diesel vehicles by 2035.
With increasing pressure on local areas to provide dependable charging facilities, particularly for residents without off-street parking, the guidance positions councils at the center of delivery.
Supporting a national transition
As the UK moves toward phasing out new petrol and diesel car sales, local authorities are being tasked with ensuring that communities can access safe and convenient public charging. The guidance stresses that early public sector leadership is essential to unlocking private investment, building user confidence and accelerating electric vehicle uptake.
Drawing on national research, expert workshops and engagement with councils, industry partners and user groups, the report provides direction across strategy development, planning, procurement, delivery and long-term operation. It highlights the importance of treating EV charging infrastructure as a public service, embedding accessibility and inclusivity from the outset and meeting, where possible exceeding, PAS 1899 standards.
Sue Percy CBE FCIHT, chief executive at CIHT said, “The transition to electric vehicles is not just about technology, it is about creating a charging network that is reliable, accessible and designed for everyone. Local authorities are at the heart of making that happen. This report provides the clarity, evidence and practical guidance needed to deliver charging infrastructure at pace and at scale.”
Strategic, data-led planning
A core message of the report is the need for coherent, data-driven strategies aligned with wider transport, energy, planning and climate objectives. Decisions on site selection, charger type, accessibility features and grid capacity should be underpinned by robust feasibility assessments.
Councils are advised to evaluate local demand, land ownership, spatial constraints, commercial viability and long-term maintenance considerations before committing to installations. The report also calls for early and meaningful community engagement to explain charging strategies, bay allocation and user expectations.
Cross-departmental collaboration within councils is identified as a critical success factor. Establishing dedicated EV working groups and building internal capacity, or procuring specialist expertise where required, can help authorities manage complex delivery programs.
Addressing grid and delivery challenges
Grid capacity constraints and delays to power upgrades remain significant barriers to rapid deployment. The guidance urges councils to engage early with distribution network operators to understand connection timelines, flooding risks and future demand requirements. Failure to do so, it warns, could lead to cost escalation, energization delays and warranty risks.
Traffic Regulation Orders should be progressed alongside engineering design and grid engagement to avoid procedural delays and ensure enforceability once charging bays are operational. Careful site design is also emphasized, with attention to footway widths, junction visibility, underground utilities and space for accessible bays integrated into the wider public realm.
The report highlights the need for consistent approaches to cross-pavement charging, applying national guidance while considering safety, accessibility and equity implications.
Procurement and futureproofing
As charging technologies evolve rapidly, the guidance stresses the importance of future-proof procurement. Contracts should clearly define responsibilities, ownership structures, maintenance standards, upgrade pathways and handover arrangements. Interoperability requirements, including Open Charge Point Protocol compliance, should be embedded to ensure networks remain flexible and user focused.
User experience is placed at the center of delivery. Charging sites should be well lit, intuitive to navigate and provide appropriate payment options, including reliable mobile connectivity for app-based systems. Clear on-site information is also recommended to improve accessibility and public confidence.
The report further advises councils to assess funding conditions carefully, understand where private investment will be required and ensure capital and resource costs are fully accounted for. It also calls for sustained investment in training and skills, suggesting regional centers of excellence could help strengthen capability across the sector.
With more than 14,000 members working across highways and transportation, CIHT positions the guidance as a practical toolkit to help authorities deliver charging infrastructure at pace and scale, while ensuring networks are inclusive, resilient and aligned with long-term net zero ambitions.
