Posted on Monday 18th March 2024
Development and growth of an electric charging network in Staffordshire is set to begin imminently with the release of £4.6million Government funding.
The funding allocation has been confirmed by the Department for Transport on March 18.
By collaborating with four other local authorities and regional transport body Midlands Connect, Staffordshire County Council will be able to work across borders and crucially have greater strength in attracting the businesses which will install and operate the charging network.
The Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (LEVI) fund aims to help local councils scale up the delivery of local charge points through mainly private investment, allowing more residents, especially those without off street parking, to switch to EVs. Charge points will be installed by commercial providers between 2024 and 2028.
At its meeting this Wednesday March 20, the county council’s cabinet is set to approve joining the consortium with Nottinghamshire County Council, Nottingham City Council, Derbyshire County Council and Derby City Council. Midlands Connect will coordinate the partnership and provide advice and guidance.
Last year, the county council approved Staffordshire’s public electric vehicle charging strategy that sets out plans on how the authority will meet the needs of communities and businesses as electric vehicle use continues to increase. The county council has worked closely with district and borough councils across the county, private providers and the energy sector.
Locations for charging points will include public and private car parks, on-street charging, rapid speed charging hubs, fuelling forecourts and residential properties.
Currently, approximately 97 per cent of homes without off-street parking in Staffordshire are not within a convenient walk of a public charging point, which is around 92,000 properties.
As of January 31 2024, there are 428 public charge points in Staffordshire and it is estimated that the county will need over 5,000 electric vehicle charge point sockets by 2030.
Staffordshire County Council’s cabinet member for highways and transport David Williams said:
It’s great news that our funding allocation to support the implementation of Staffordshire’s electric vehicle charging network has now been confirmed.
It is not the county council’s role or responsibility to install or operate the charging points, but by working with partner local authorities, we will be in the strongest position to attract commercial providers which will undertake this.
Our partnership strategy has identified where the most appropriate places for charging points could be and how we will work with the private sector to facilitate successful delivery. We will also work with businesses to encourage workplace charging and residents to support off-street charging, in addition to people and organisations making planning applications.
We understand that electricity may not be the only type of alternative power for vehicles in future years, but it’s vital that we have our Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure in place as soon as possible.”
Maria Machancoses, CEO of Midlands Connect, said:
It’s great to see Government supporting our collaborative approach to delivering EV and today’s announcement will lead to thousands of new chargers being installed, transforming how we travel around our region and beyond.
We are helping councils working together to charge ahead and provide this vital infrastructure for their communities.
The collaboration draws on their collective knowledge and expertise to deliver on street charging, making it even easier for those without driveways to make the switch to cleaner travel.
We hope in the coming weeks the rest of our consortiums will also receive investment so we can continue to supercharge the Midlands and lead the way in EV infrastructure.”