Saturday, November 23, 2024
Infrastructure and TechnologyLatestNews

West Midlands secures £15m EV charging funding

Transport for West Midlands (TfWM) has received a £15.7 million boost to its plans to install up to 12,000 electric vehicle chargers across the region over the next five years.

The funding comes from the dedicated cash pot worth over £185 million made available for local authorities to speed up the deployment of electric vehicle (EV) charge points, through the Department for Transport’s overall £381m Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (LEVI) Fund.

Added to funding already set aside by TfWM, a total of £55m is now available which will be used to leverage substantial private sector investment to accelerate the roll out of charging infrastructure in the region. 

TfWM, which is part of the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA), is working with councils, private sector suppliers and utility firms, to design the programme to deliver a wide range of infrastructure from a set of nine larger ultra rapid-charging transit stations to thousands of smaller roadside low-power chargers.

As well as funding to local authorities, the DfT has today announced additional funding for homeowners or renters who do not have off street parking to help install on street charging points.

Andy Steet, Mayor of the West Midlands and chair of the WMCA said: “We welcome this new £15m investment from the Department for Transport which will help us deliver a revolution in vehicle charging infrastructure, from smaller roadside chargers to faster charging hubs across our region.

“This will be added to funding we already have in place and private sector investment and, working with our member councils, will enable us to install up to 12,000 electric vehicle (EV) chargers across our region – targeting those areas which need them most.”

Technology and Decarbonisation Minister Anthony Browne said: “This dedicated funding to local councils is part of our plan to ensure people can switch from a petrol or diesel car to an EV when they choose to do so.”

Cllr Mike Bird, WMCA portfolio lead for transport and leader of Walsall Council, added: “As a region the West Midlands is at the forefront of moves to low and zero-emission transport – whether it’s the investment in hundreds of electric buses, the pioneering work on battery powered trams and work to electrify our rail fleet.

“Now, thanks to this latest funding, we are targeting private vehicle owners to make it easier for them to ditch their polluting cars or vans and help improve the air quality in our towns and cities.”

Image from Shutterstock

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