Wales announces long-term rates relief for EV charging infrastructure

The Welsh Government has announced that electric vehicle (EV) charging bays and forecourts will receive 100% non-domestic rates relief until 2036. Announced by Cabinet Minister for Finance Elin Jones, the initiative aims to eliminate investment barriers and accelerate the rollout of charging infrastructure across Wales, specifically targeting underserved areas.

For the current financial year, local authorities will be asked to grant the relief using discretionary powers, which may allow for backdating to the start of the 2024-25 period. To provide long-term certainty for ratepayers and local authorities, new regulations will be introduced later this year to establish the relief on a statutory footing from 2027-28 through 2035-36, subject to approval by the Senedd.