Britain’s competition watchdog has launched a probe into the provision of electric vehicle charging points on motorways and elsewhere.
Access to charge points can be a 'postcode lottery' said the Competition and Markets Authority, which is concerned there will not be enough charge points to cope when the UK government bans sales of petrol cars in 2030.
As an example, the CMA pointed out that Yorkshire and the Humber per head have a quarter of the number in London, while motorways also pose a problem it said.
A competition law investigation is now underway into the long-term exclusive arrangements between the Electric Highway - a ChargePoint provider - and three motorway service operators - MOTO, Roadchef and Extra, teh CMA added.
Currently, Electric Highway provides 80% of all charge points at motorway service stations excluding Tesla's and its long-term exclusive arrangements, which last between 10-15 years, cover around two-thirds of motorway service stations.
The CMA said it is concerned that these arrangements make it difficult for other operators to provide competing charge points at motorway service stations.
"This could result in drivers losing out on the benefits of competition such as greater provision, more choice, competitive prices and reliable, high-quality charge points."
it is proposing four measures to help ease the situation: A national strategy for rolling out EV charging; support for local authorities to roll out on-street charging; attaching conditions to the government's £950mln Rapid Charging Fund to boost motorway competition and tasking a public body to oversee EV charging.
Andrea Coscelli, Chief Executive of the CMA, said: "Electric vehicles play a critical role in meeting Net Zero but the challenges with creating an entirely new charging network should not be underestimated.
Some areas of the roll-out are going well and the UK's network is growing - but it's clear that other parts, like charging at motorway service stations and on-street, have much bigger hurdles to overcome.
"There needs to be action now to address the postcode lottery in electric vehicle charging as we approach the ban on sales of new petrol and diesel cars by 2030.
"Our recommendations will promote strong competition, encourage more investment, and build people's trust, both now and in the future. The CMA has also opened a competition law investigation into EV charging along motorways and will continue to work with government and the industry to help ensure electric vehicle charging is a success."
The UK has around 25,000 charge points currently with forecasts suggest more than ten times this amount will be needed by 2030.