Shell is aiming to install 50,000 on-street electric vehicle charge posts across the UK by the end of 2025.

The move, through ubitricity, part of the Shell group, is aimed at increasing the availability of electric vehicle (EV) charging for drivers who don't have private parking and help local authorities get their charging networks up-and-running as quickly as possible.

Around 3,600 ubitricity chargers are already in place in the UK, using existing street infrastructure such as lamp posts and bollards. In order to reach the 50,000 target Shell will support local authorities with a financing offer to install more ubitricity on-street chargers in towns and cities across the UK at potentially zero cost.

The UK government's Office for Zero Emission Vehicles (OZEV) currently meets 75% of the cost of installing on-street chargers through the On-Street Residential Charging Scheme (ORCS). For local authorities looking to install ubitricity charge posts, Shell is prepared to cover the remaining costs, subject to commercial terms.

More than 60% of households in English cities and urban areas do not have off-street parking. This rises to 68% for people living in social housing, according to recent figures.

David Bunch, Shell's UK Country Chair, said: "It's vital to speed up the pace of EV charger installation across the UK and this aim and financing offer is designed to help achieve that.

"Whether at home, at work or on-the-go, we want to give drivers across the UK accessible EV charging options, so that more drivers can switch to electric."

Transport Minister Rachel Maclean said: "Together with industry and local authorities, we can create cleaner, greener local communities - providing EV chargepoints for people without off-street parking across the country."

The UK Committee for Climate Change recently recommended that the UK needed 150,000 public charge points operating across the UK by 2025.

Today's announcement by Shell represents a third of that total and sits alongside the rapid roll-out of Shell-owned charge points at forecourts, supermarkets, businesses and homes.