Electric vehicle owners in Staffordshire could benefit from more accessible and convenient charging under a locally led £4.6 million programme shaped around residents’ needs.
It would expand charging in car parks and community locations, while helping eligible residents without driveways access lower-cost home charging.
This would use Staffordshire’s £4.588 million Government Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (LEVI) allocation, alongside private-sector investment to increase charging provision. Staffordshire County Council’s revised LEVI programme has been developed using local evidence and feedback from Staffordshire residents to ensure investment is focused where it can make the greatest difference.
Around 80,000 Staffordshire households do not have private off-street parking, meaning many electric vehicle owners cannot easily access lower-cost domestic charging.
This programme aims to give people greater choice, with public charging being complemented in Staffordshire by trialling cross-pavement solutions where properties and locations are suitable.
For suitable households without off-street parking, the cross-pavement trial could provide access to more affordable home charging through a small channel installed safely within the pavement for the charging cable. The trial would test and measure costs, safety and residents’ experience and would inform any further potential rollout.
The county council has consulted residents, with feedback helping to shape the programme. This showed strong demand for affordable home charging, and questions raised about accessibility and practical installation issues. The project team is addressing these as it draws up final plans.
Andrew Mynors, Staffordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Connectivity, said:
We want vehicle owners to have a genuine choice of affordable charging options, whether through convenient facilities in car parks and community locations or, where suitable, closer to home. By using government funding alongside private sector investment, this programme, revised and led by the current Cabinet, is now strongly placed to support communities, help ease cost-of-living pressures and deliver long-term value for money for Staffordshire residents.”
The programme proposals will be discussed by Cabinet at its meeting on Wednesday 18 November. Following approval, the project team would start the process of finding the most appropriate company to deliver the scheme.
