£40 Million Boost for On-Street Electric Vehicle Chargers in the Midlands
Thousands of new public electric vehicle chargers are set to be installed across the UK, thanks to a substantial financial injection described as “crucial.”
Thirteen local authorities in the Midlands have secured £40.8 million in government funding to bolster electric vehicle charging infrastructure. This investment aims to deliver over 16,000 charge point sockets throughout the region, with a particular focus on areas where off-street parking is limited.
The participating authorities include Derby City, Derbyshire, Lincolnshire, Herefordshire, Nottingham City, Nottinghamshire, Staffordshire, Stoke-on-Trent, Telford and Wrekin, Worcestershire, Warwickshire, Leicestershire, and Rutland. The funding is provided by the government’s Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (LEVI) fund, following a successful application in 2024.
Future of Roads Minister Lilian Greenwood highlighted the importance of the initiative, stating, “Making charging as seamless and as easy as possible is 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.” She added, “Electric vehicles will power growth, cut emissions and improve lives in the Midlands and beyond, as we continue to deliver our Plan for Change.”
The project has a five-year timeline for the installation of all planned charging points throughout the partnership area.
Councillor Marc Bayliss, Worcestershire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport, expressed his satisfaction with the funding award, saying, “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 chargepoints will not only support those who already have an electric vehicle, but also encourage others to make the move towards purchasing one.”
Maria Machancoses, CEO of Midlands Connect, welcomed the funding and highlighted the increased collaboration between local authorities. She emphasized the significance of the funding boost for electric vehicle chargers, stating, “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.”
Here’s a breakdown of the funding allocated to each local authority:
- Derby: £1.758 million
- Derbyshire: £6.604 million
- Nottingham: £1.704 million
- Nottinghamshire: £5.552 million
- Staffordshire: £4.588 million
- Lincolnshire: £5.620 million
- Herefordshire: £1.124 million
- Stoke-on-Trent: £2.693 million
- Telford and Wrekin: £1.020 million
- Leicestershire: £3.151 million
- Rutland: £257,000
- Warwickshire: £3.295 million
- Worcestershire: £3.481 million
