MORE than 1000 new electric vehicle chargepoints are being provided, thanks to a new Government initiative announced today (24 August 2022).
Backed by £20m of funding, the chargepoints will be installed across nine local authorities.
Delivered through the Local EV Infrastructure (LEVI) pilot scheme, local authorities and industry work together to create new, commercial EV charging infrastructure for residents, from faster on-street chargepoints to larger refuelling station-style charging hubs.
If the UK is to lead the way in electrification, then expanding the network of chargepoints is mission critical.
Meryem Brassington continued:
“Electric vehicle adoption levels are dominating the new car market and for this momentum to continue, drivers need access to widely available charging stations. This is particularly important for motorists without driveways to ensure that they don’t get left behind on the switch to electric.
“The government’s new £20 million scheme will go some way to boosting the charging infrastructure across England and bringing power to many more EV drivers. Policymakers must continue to invest in the rollout of chargepoints outside of larger towns and cities to allow even more motorists the opportunity to go electric.”
If you're an SME fleet driver in the following counties this is where the 1000 new chargepoints will be installed
- Barnet
- Dorset
- Durham
- Kent
- Midlands Connect (with Lincolnshire as a lead authority)
- North Yorkshire
- Nottinghamshire
- Suffolk
- Warrington
Commenting on the announcement, BVRLA Chief Executive, Gerry Keaney, added:
“Getting the EV charging infrastructure right is the difference between the UK meeting its net zero targets and falling short. It remains a massive barrier to fleet users making the switch as investment to date has prioritised private users and overlooked the varied requirements of those driving for business. Strategic investment that gets stakeholders representing all road users and vehicle types around the same table is the answer. The Local EV Infrastructure pilot scheme is a very positive development.”
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