Thirteen local authorities across the Midlands region have received £40.8m of Government funding aimed at getting more electric vehicle charge points into areas with limited off-street parking.
A partnership of eight local authorities across the Midlands region, led by Lincolnshire County Council and Worcestershire County Council, have successfully bid for £20.64m of funding. These two consortiums are the last to be approved for funding after five other local authority partners, being led by Nottinghamshire County Council, secured £20.17m, therefore totalling £40.8m of funding for the partnership overall.
The funding comes from Government’s Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (LEVI) fund, which will help deliver more than 16,000 charge point sockets across the region, with exact numbers determined as part of future contracts.
The bid was submitted in 2024. The thirteen (13) local authorities include Derby City, Derbyshire County Council, Lincolnshire County Council, Herefordshire Council, Nottingham City Council, Nottinghamshire County Council, Staffordshire County Council, Stoke-on-Trent City Council, Telford & Wrekin Council, Worcestershire County Council, Warwickshire County Council, Leicestershire County Council and Rutland County Council.
Almost 31% of Midlands residents do not have access to off-street parking. It is hoped that increasing the number of public on-street charge points will make it easier for those without a driveway to make the switch to an electric vehicle. This will also increase the ease of travel and charging for all EV users in the county.
Two of the Midlands Consortiums tenders are out now with the final consortium to go to procurement Spring 2025, with a five-year delivery aim to install these across the partnership area.
Cllr Philip Price, Herefordshire Council Cabinet Member for Transport and Infrastructure, said: “This successful bid for funding is excellent news and a significant step forward for our electric vehicle strategy. The funding will increase the provision of charge points across Herefordshire to help meet the rapidly growing demand and support residents who own an electric vehicle but do not have off-street parking. We are pleased to be able to support electric vehicle owners, and hope the expanded infrastructure will give added encouragement to those considering making the switch to an electric vehicle.”
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.”
