More than 100 Government-funded electric vehicle charging sockets have been installed in Cornwall since 2022, recent figures suggest.

The Electric Vehicle Chargepoint Grant helps fund the installation of electric vehicle smart charge points across the UK, including private homes, commercial properties and car parks.

It replaced the Electric Vehicle Homecharge Scheme in April 2022 and provides grants of up to £350 for residential and commercial landlords, and residential owners and renters, and grants of up to £30,000 for car parks.

Provisional figures from the Department for Transport show the EVCG has provided £142,550 to install 137 EV charging sockets in Cornwall since its launch in 2022.

Between 2014 and 2022, the EVHS enabled the set-up of 2,271 charging device installations in the area.

Across the UK, the EVCG has funded the installation of 23,178 charging sockets, including 46% (10,647) in the year to July.

The grant has allocated around £16.6 million since its launch, with some £6.3 million in the recent year alone.

This comprises funding for non-socket charging infrastructure such as wiring.

The majority (60%) of charging sockets have been fitted in flats and rented residential properties: some 13,816 sockets have been installed by renters and flat owners since the start of the scheme in 2022, accounting for £4.8 million in funding.

As grants can take several months to process, the data is treated as provisional.

Rosie Downes, head of campaigns at Friends of the Earth, said the number of EV charging sockets installed across the UK is "a positive step towards decarbonising transport", adding "it’s encouraging that nearly half of these occurred in the past year".

She said: "Many people – especially those living in flats or rented accommodation – still face barriers to installing chargers, which must be addressed.

"Faster chargers, better grid integration and ongoing maintenance are also essential.

"While expanding charging networks is vital, it must be part of a broader strategy that includes reducing car dependency and significantly improving public transport options.

"The Government must ensure that these investments are equitable, accessible to all communities and aligned with the UK's climate goals."

The DfT data comes a month after the UK Government announced a £63 million package to boost "Britain's electric vehicle revolution", including supporting at-home charging for households without driveways.

Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said: "We are making it easier and cheaper to own an electric vehicle.

"We know access to charging is a barrier for people thinking of making the switch, so we are tackling that head on so that everyone – whether or not they have a driveway – can access the benefits of going electric."

Vicky Edmonds, chief executive of EVA England, which represents EV drivers, said the Government's rants offer "vital support" to households willing to switch to electric.

She welcomed the new funding "which will open up affordable charging to many more homes", warning it remains "much harder" for households without their own parking space.

"But we know that cross pavement won't be a viable solution for everyone, and we need to keep raising awareness and looking for solutions that will open up cheaper EV charging for all of us who rely on the public charging network," she added.

A DfT spokesperson said: "We’re charging up the EV revolution – funding nearly 21,000 home and workplace chargepoints in the last year alone.

"That’s on top of nearly 84,000 public charging devices already available across the UK – with one added just every 31 minutes, driving confidence in our charging network.

"Alongside boosting access in the places people live, work and shop, we’re also tackling cost and confidence so drivers can charge up wherever they are."