South West to benefit from EV charging point funding boost
It's part of a £381 million dedicated fund in a bid to expand the UK network - and get more drivers using electric
In what's been described as a 'boost' for drivers - local authorities across the South West are to benefit from new cash on the rollout of electric vehicle charge points.
It's part of a £381 million dedicated Local Electric Vehicle (LEVI) fund by the Government in a bid to expand the UK network - and get more drivers using electric.
Following the approval of the first five local authority applications in February, payments to 44 additional councils from Torbay to Tees Valley have now been approved to help residents charge their vehicles, worth over £185m.
In the South West, the following councils are set to receive their funding:
- Devon County Council - £7,727,000
- Gloucestershire County Council - £3,629,000
- North Somerset Council - £1,152,000
- Plymouth City Council - £2,824,000
- Swindon Borough Council - £2,321,000
- Torbay Council - £1,289,000
- West of England Combined Authority - £7,332,000
The local authorities who have already been allocated to the second round of LEVI funding will be able to apply to the fund from 2 April, following those who have received funding in the first round and in a further boost to the chargepoint rollout.
Technology and Decarbonisation Minister Anthony Browne said: “This Government has a plan to help speed up the installation of EV chargepoints, which we’re getting on and delivering across the South West.
“This dedicated funding to local councils across the South West is part of our plan to ensure people can switch from a petrol or diesel car to an EV when they choose to do so.”
Households without driveways or dedicated parking spaces can access the Electric Vehicle Chargepoint Grant, worth £350, which is hoped to provide up to 75% off the cost of purchasing and installing a point to charge.
Applicants must also have permission from their council to install a cross-pavement charging solution - with the applications then made online.
Councillor Andrea Davis, Devon County Council’s Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Environment and Transport, said: “I’m delighted that we have been awarded this significant grant which will be instrumental in helping the county’s transition to zero-emission vehicles.We declared a climate emergency in 2019 and drove the production of the Devon Carbon Plan which sets out what needs to be done for Devon to meet the net-zero challenge.
“On road transportation represents more than a quarter of Devon’s carbon emissions therefore the decarbonisation of transport is a crucial part of this response. This award will help us put these plans into action.”
Today also marks the launch of the Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Forum, which will discuss how best to tackle barriers and accelerate the delivery of charging infrastructure across the country.
Edmund King OBE, AA president, said: “AA surveys show that one of the main reasons why many drivers are hesitant towards switching to EVs is the perception that there are not enough charging points. To give confidence to drivers now and for the future, we need to overcome these barriers which will help unlock cleaner, greener motoring for all. Extending grants to those without off-street parking is a step in the right direction.
“I’m proud to be co-chairing the Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Forum as I’m committed to helping consumers transition to zero emission vehicles and an efficient, affordable, accessible charging infrastructure is key to that. I’m also confident that the UK’s brilliant charging and automotive industry can deliver and play a key part in the UK’s Net Zero ambitions.”
Latest data shows fully electric vehicles account for over 16% of the new UK car market in 2023.
56,983 public chargepoints now installed across the UK – a 47% increase compared to this time last year.
Today's announcement comes following the introduction of the zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) mandate into law earlier this year, which requires 80% of new cars and 70% of new vans sold in Great Britain to be zero emission by 2030, and 100% by 2035.