The Kia e-Niro today becomes the first electric car to be awarded Car of the Year – highlighting the growing market for electric vehicles in place of traditional petrol and diesel.

The National Infrastructure Assessment – the first of its kind in the UK – recommends action to deliver a truly national, visible charging network to support and encourage increasing demand for electric cars.

This includes offering Government subsidy to provide charging points where the private sector will not deliver in the short term – particularly in rural and small towns, and remote locations.

In the Assessment, the National Infrastructure Commission proposes that the charging infrastructure be put in place to allow consumer demand to reach close to 100 per cent electric car and van sales by 2030.

Responding to today’s announcement, a spokesman for the National Infrastructure Commission said:

“While it is great news that an electric car has been awarded Car of the Year, the UK needs to develop a truly visible, national charging network to help more drivers make the switch from petrol and diesel.

“Our National Infrastructure Assessment includes recommendations to achieve just that and make sure the UK is ready for this growing market, including offering subsidies to support rural and remote areas, and getting councils to allocate a portion of their parking spaces for potential future charging points.

“This would ensure that this growing demand for electric cars isn’t halted by a lack of the charging infrastructure needed.”