Midlands Local Authorities Secure Funding for More EV Chargers on Streets
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Thirteen local authorities across the Midlands region have secured a whopping £40.8m of Government funding to boost the installation of electric vehicle charge points in areas with limited off-street parking.
A coalition of eight local authorities, spearheaded by Lincolnshire County Council and Worcestershire County Council, successfully applied for £20.64m in funding. These two groups are the final recipients of funding following five other local authority partners, led by Nottinghamshire County Council, who bagged £20.17m. The total funding of £40.8m will enable the partnership to deliver more than 16,000 charge point sockets across the region, with specific numbers to be determined in future contracts.
The funding originates from the Government’s Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (LEVI) fund, aimed at facilitating the transition to electric vehicles. The bid was submitted in 2024, and the thirteen local authorities involved in the initiative include Derby City, Derbyshire County Council, Lincolnshire County Council, Herefordshire Council, Nottingham City Council, Nottinghamshire County Council, Staffordshire County Council, Stoke-on-Trent City Council, Telford & Wrekin Council, Worcestershire County Council, Warwickshire County Council, Leicestershire County Council and Rutland County Council.
With almost 31% of Midlands residents lacking off-street parking, the initiative hopes to make it easier for those without a driveway to switch to electric vehicles by increasing the number of public on-street charge points. This move will not only benefit residents without private parking but also enhance the convenience of travel and charging for all electric vehicle users in the county.
Currently, two of the Midlands Consortiums’ tenders are already in progress, with the final consortium set to enter the procurement phase in Spring 2025. The target is to install these charge points across the partnership area within a five-year timeframe.
Herefordshire Council’s Cabinet Member for Transport and Infrastructure, Cllr Philip Price, expressed his excitement about the successful funding bid, stating, “This successful bid for funding is excellent news and a significant step forward for our electric vehicle strategy.”
The Future of Roads Minister, Lilian Greenwood, highlighted the importance of seamless and easy charging to encourage the transition to electric vehicles. She emphasised that rolling out over 16,000 chargers across the Midlands will make driving an EV more accessible and cost-effective, particularly for individuals without a driveway.
Maria Machancoses, CEO of Midlands Connect, commended the collaboration with local authorities that led to a substantial funding boost for electric vehicle infrastructure. She stressed the significance of establishing a reliable electric vehicle charging network across the Midlands, especially with the impending 2035 ban on diesel and petrol vehicles.
Overall, the funding injection for electric vehicle infrastructure in the Midlands marks a significant milestone in the region’s journey towards sustainable and eco-friendly transportation. With continued collaboration and investment, the Midlands is poised to lead the way in embracing electric vehicles and reducing carbon emissions.
Image credit: iStock
