Rapid Charging Fund (RCF) Pilot

The Rapid Charging Fund (RCF) is designed to accelerate industry’s own investments in transport decarbonisation. It will enable a comprehensive ultra-rapid charging network by funding prohibitively expensive grid connections.

The objectives of the fund are to:

• Enable the market to provide charging infrastructure at strategic locations to support the government’s vision of the transition to a 100% electric car and van fleet.
• Address charge anxiety by providing grant funding that will future-proof grid capacity where it is not commercially viable, leading to a greater provision of ultra-rapid chargepoints.

The RCF pilot

This pilot scheme will be used to test the design of the RCF at motorway service areas, and the application process. This will be used alongside stakeholder engagement, evidence gathering and the outcome of this consultation to inform the design of the main fund. This consultation is focused on the main fund.

In addition to the objectives above, the RCF pilot aims to:

• Generate an improved understanding of the likely barriers to the delivery of core objectives of the fund.
• Identify opportunities to address these barriers through the design of the fund and its delivery mechanisms.
• Accelerate the delivery of future-proofed connections at motorway service areas, where connection costs are a barrier to meeting EV charging demand.

The Fund will aim to ensure that the private sector can install ultra-rapid chargepoints (chargepoints capable of 150kW and overcharging speeds) where they are needed ahead of growing demand.