New chargepoints installed across Calderdale

Plans to upscale electric vehicle adoption across Calderdale have been completed with the installation of 10 new chargepoints.

The news comes as Calderdale marks national Clean Air Day on Thursday (8 October). The council aim to be carbon neutral by 2038 with the new rapid chargepoints in 10 car parks throughout the area.

The chargepoints are part of a joint project between the West Yorkshire Combined Authority, the five West Yorkshire councils and Leeds-based energy and services company, ENGIE, to collectively tackle air pollution and climate change.

All the chargepoints are free to use until the end of October 2021, and parking charges will not apply while a vehicle is charging. Each chargepoint has one bay for the public to use, and another which is exclusively for taxis and private hire vehicles. A charge typically takes less than an hour, depending on the vehicle.

Cllr Scott Patient, Calderdale Council’s Cabinet Member for Climate Change and Resilience, said: “The climate emergency hasn’t gone away, and we can still all play our part to reduce dangerous pollution. During the pandemic, we have seen how changes to our lifestyle and fewer cars on the roads can have a positive impact on the environment. We now have a real opportunity to build on that and switch to more sustainable ways of living.

“We’re really pleased that all our electric vehicle chargepoints are now up and running. We hope this will encourage greater use of electric vehicles as an alternative to petrol and diesel cars, helping to create a cleaner, greener and healthier Calderdale. Electric vehicles are also cheaper to run.”

Cllr Kim Groves, Chair of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority’s Transport Committee, said: “As part of our commitment to making West Yorkshire a net zero carbon economy by 2038 at the latest, we’re determined to help make it easier for people to switch to electric vehicles.

“The ten rapid charge points in Calderdale, which are free for people to use, are part of a network of 88 around our region. This is just one of the ways we’re supporting people and businesses to reduce carbon emissions across West Yorkshire.”

Alex Bamberg, Managing Director EV Solutions at ENGIE UK and Ireland said: “These new chargepoints will play a key role in encouraging uptake in electric vehicles and tackling air pollution to create a greener, cleaner place for people to live and work. They will also support the Council’s carbon-neutral ambitions.

“Providing green mobility solutions is just one part of a wider strategy where we support local authorities and the public by helping shape their environment as we move towards a net-zero carbon world. We are looking forward to seeing Calderdale residents benefit from this fantastic scheme.”

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