Wednesday, October 9, 2024
Infrastructure and TechnologyNews

Wakefield Council to install more rapid chargers after high demand

Wakefield Council plans to install more electric charging points across the district after recent data showed existing rapid chargers have been used almost 9,000 times in the last year. 

The council has already installed 10 rapid chargers in the district so far, with a further six planned this year.

Cllr Jack Hemingway, Wakefield Council’s Cabinet Member for Climate Change, said: “This is fantastic news, demonstrating a growing demand for the infrastructure we have developed and a positive step forward as we work to achieve our pledge to become carbon neutral by 2030.

“A further six rapid charging points are planned for this year to help make it even more convenient, and free, for people to access. We really hope our residents will consider switching to electric vehicles if they are able to.

“The electricity comes from 100% renewable sources so is great for the environment and just one of the many schemes we are looking at to help tackle climate change.”

Cllr Matthew Morley, Wakefield Council’s Cabinet Member for Planning and Highways, said: “We are delighted that this scheme has been so well used by residents and visitors already. Following on from this, we will be identifying further locations across the district to install a variety of on-street and car park charge points to make them even more accessible.”

The green rapid charging points are powered by 100% renewable energy. They typically take under an hour to provide a full vehicle charge depending on the vehicle, with the benefit of electricity provided free of charge until 29 October 2021. There is also no parking fee while the charger is being used.

The initiative is in partnership with West Yorkshire Combined Authority and ENGIE to provide a network of rapid charge points across the region – about 88 charge points across West Yorkshire. It is hoped this will help stimulate the interest and increased use of electric vehicles in the district as an important initiative to help tackle climate change.

The £3 million programme is the result of a successful bid for £1.98million funding from the Government’s Office for Zero Emission Vehicles (OZEV). The Combined Authority and the partnering local authorities are also providing a further £1.2million of match funding for the scheme. Leeds-based ENGIE was appointed to install, own and operate the new charging points, which will result in West Yorkshire having 88 of around 500 rapid vehicle charging points across the country.

Each chargepoint will have two parking bays for electric vehicles, with one bay dedicated for taxi use (hackney and private hire) in order to encourage a growth in the number of electric vehicles in this sector. 

Image: Shutterstock.

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