As the COP26 summit focuses on transport a new report shows that provision of charging points for fans travelling to matches in electric vehicles is woefully inadequate at Premier League grounds.
Car manufacturers are using football to promote the switch to electric vehicles, but the reality for fans is a different story, with availability of charging points depending on the affluence of the area where the stadium is located.
Using ZapMap data, the SOSCI project has analysed the current chargepoint infrastructure of a mile radius of Premier League football stadiums.
Where do teams rank in the EV League?
Tuchel's Chelsea are currently leading the charge on and off the field, with over 20 chargepoints in a mile walk of Stamford Bridge. However, Benitez's Everton are struggling at the bottom of the table, despite their new stadium on the banks of the Mersey being especially vulnerable to rising sea levels associated with the climate emergency. Even the Premier League’s newest stadia lack adequate EV charging facilities.
Although Chelsea may be top, each chargepoint is shared by 586 match going fans compared to Brentford's 330.
With petrol and diesel vehicles driven to a stadium, there are increased carbon emissions and increased likelihood of respiratory issues from air pollution. Charge My Street is working to increase the availability of EV infrastructure around grounds, allowing fans and residents to lower carbon emissions and improve air quality in their area, one chargepoint at a time.
Daniel Heery, Director at Charge my Street said “We need to see Clubs, Local Authorities and residents working together to get more chargepoints installed near grounds and help fans make the switch to electric vehicles.
Residents and fans are being encouraged to suggest sites near stadia and invest in community owned charging points on the Charge my Street website.