Drivers across the Midlands will benefit from more than 16,000 new electric vehicle (EV) chargers from more than £40m in UK Government investment.
Future of Roads Minister Lilian Greenwood has confirmed that 13 local authorities across the Midlands, supported by Midlands Connect, have received £40.8m from the Local EV Infrastructure (LEVI) Fund to roll out thousands of chargers across the region.
The funding comes on top of over £2.3bn to help industry and consumers make a supported switch to EVs. New chargers will boost charging infrastructure across the Midlands, including in smaller towns and rural areas, the UK Government said.
The UK’s public chargepoint network continues to grow every day, with the recent announcement of 75,000 public chargers now available across the country and a record of nearly 20k added last year alone.
Future of Roads Minister Lilian Greenwood said:
“Making charging as seamless and as easy as possible is a crucial to making the switch to electric a success, and rolling out over 16,000 chargers across the Midlands will make driving an EV cheaper and easier, especially for those without a driveway.
“Electric vehicles will power growth, cut emissions and improve lives in the Midlands and beyond, as we continue to deliver our Plan for Change.”
Maria Machancoses, CEO of Midlands Connect, said:
“We are delighted that our collaboration with local authorities has resulted in a significant funding boost for electric vehicle infrastructure across the region.
“This is a great step in moving towards a reliable electric vehicle charging infrastructure network across the Midlands, which will become increasingly important as we move closer to the 2035 ban of diesel and petrol vehicles.
“We will continue to work with local authorities to accelerate the roll-out of electric vehicle infrastructure across the Midlands.”
Councillor Marc Bayliss, Worcestershire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport, said:
“I’m pleased that Worcestershire, alongside other local authorities, has been successful in this bid for significant funding towards boosting electric vehicle infrastructure.
“It’s hoped, that installing more public charge points , will not only support those who already have an electric vehicle, but also encourage others to make the move towards purchasing one.”
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