Councils invest in charging infrastructure

Shropshire Council has been awarded almost £1 million for new electric vehicle charging points whilst Bracknell Forest Council are installing infrastructure in council-owned car parks around the borough.

A total of £902,940 has been awarded by the Office for Zero Emission Vehicles, with support of the Energy Saving Trust, to enable the installation of on-street charge points for Shropshire residents wishing to charge their plug-in electric vehicles.

The grant will allow the council to work with charge point operator, Connected Kerb, to bring the number of EV charge points to 320, across 45 locations in the county.

Ian Nellins, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for climate change, environment and transport, said: “For electric vehicles, charging at home usually occurs off-street in garages and driveways, a convenient and efficient option. However, in many parts of Shropshire off-street parking is unavailable to residents.

“By installing charge points on-street or in public car parks, residents without off-street parking can enjoy the convenience and value of charging their electric vehicles.

“This is one of the biggest awards to have been made to any council under the on-street residential charging points scheme from the Office of Zero Emission Vehicles, and it means we can add 270 more charge points to our streets and car parks to benefit the growing number of hybrid and EV owners in the county.

“We’re committed to improving and developing infrastructure to enable residents and businesses to lead more sustainable and self-sufficient lives, which in turn helps reduce the impacts of climate change on our environment. Providing more electric vehicle charge points is just one of the ways we are delivering on this priority.”

Chris Pateman-Jones, CEO of Connected Kerb, added: “It is an exciting opportunity for Connected Kerb and Shropshire Council to continue in partnership. Providing equal access to affordable electric vehicle charging across the country is essential if the UK is to be EV-ready by 2030, and Shropshire is to become carbon net-neutral in the same year.”

In partnership with EV charging infrastructure designers and installers, Joju Charging and their funding partner and charge point operator, Mer UK, Bracknell Forest Council is installing 32 charging points in 11 car parks.

The 22kW chargers are open for all to use, including residents without off-street car parking living nearby. The type 2 chargers cost £0.39/kWh and payment can be made via the Mer UK app, or by following the instructions on the charge point. 

The marked bays can only be used by electric vehicles which are actively charging.

Cllr Chris Turrell, Executive Member for Planning and Transport, said: “The council is keen to support as many car users as possible to switch to an EV because of the environmental benefits. But we recognise not everyone has a home with a driveway where they can charge their car. In addition to chargers at supermarkets and other retail and leisure outlets, the council is helping by providing chargers in some of our free-to-use car parks.”

Graeme Patton, Head of EV Delivery at Joju Charging, said: “It’s fantastic to be working with Bracknell Forest Council and our partner Mer UK, to help achieve the council’s EV charging ambitions and to encourage the switch to electric vehicles through the provision of EV charging infrastructure. It’s great to start the installation to bring EV charging to the borough.” 

The charge points will be partly funded by ORCS, the Government’s on-street residential charging scheme, and partly funded by Mer UK. 

Next month’s Transport + Energy Forum will bring together key stakeholder groups to discuss the actions that need to be taken to reach net zero, with council places at the event fully funded by the organiser.

Local authorities interested in registering for the event and taking advantage of one of the fully funded places available can do so here: https://transportandenergy.com/te-forum-event-public-sector-registration/

Anyone interested in attending the event from the private sector can do so by using the button below:

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