Coventry and Warwickshire still on track for 'EV Boom', according to research
The region could have more than 83,000 electric vehicles on its roads by 2030.
Last updated 16th Apr 2024
New research suggests both Coventry and Warwickshire remain on track for an electric vehicle (EV) 'boom' and could see over 83,000 electric cars on its streets by the end of the decade.
Midlands Connect say the region's expected to see a significant increase in public EV charge points in order to keep up with demand.
Figures suggest Coventry and Warwickshire will see a 623% increase in uptake in electric vehicles by the end of 2030, with projections predicting to rise from 11,552 EVs today to 83,518 on its roads by the end of 2030.
New research forecasts have shown Warwickshire requires a further 4,536 public charging points by 2030 to support the increase in EV use over the next decade, a significant increase from the 401 chargers existing across the region today. With 1,312 public chargers already existing in Coventry, the city is on track for an EV boom. In fact by the end of April Coventry will have over 2,000 chargers operational – that’s ahead of predicted demand.
Estimates suggest that by 2030, the Midlands could be home to over 2 million EVs, with just under 1 in 3 (32.5%) vehicles being electric. To support this growing number of EVs, 58,997 new public EV charging points must be installed across the Midlands by the end of the decade. This means installing 27 new EVCPs every day, 194 per week, and 9,832 per year until the end of 2030.
The work is part of the Sub-national Transport Body’s efforts to support Local Authorities in increasing EV charger roll-out. In September 2023, it partnered with 14 Local Authorities for a total of £40.3mil of Government’s Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (LEVI) Fund to be part of consortium approach, accounting for ~61% of the regions £66.5mil funding.
The figures were announced at Midlands Connect’s EV Conference today, which brought together senior leaders and policymakers to discuss the challenges and opportunities facing the Electric Vehicle industry. Discussions included hearing from firms manufacturing EVs; electrifying fleets of vehicles and ensuring that electrified transport is accessible to everyone.
Commenting on the research, Midlands Connect’s CEO, Maria Machancoses, said:
“It’s clear Coventry and Warwickshire is still on the brink of a boom in Electric Vehicles, that could see more than 83,000 electric cars on its streets by the end of decade.
“Local Authorities across the Midlands are doing a great job to roll out charging points, but they cannot do this alone. We’re already working with Local Authorities to support their work and help secure EV infrastructure funding from Government.
“Our conference allowed us to bring together many different aspects of the EV industry, including Government, to discuss the challenges and opportunities ahead. We want to make the Midlands the home of the green industrial revolution.”
Councillor Jim O’Boyle, Cabinet Member for Jobs, Regeneration and Climate Change at Coventry City Council said:
“We have made great strides in delivering the largest network of public EV charge points in the UK outside London, but we are, of course, working to do more to ensure we are set up to meet future demand.
“The development of this network shows our commitment to de-carbonise our transport system and alongside other initiatives including All Electric Bus City, our plans for Coventry Very Light Rail, the creation of a network of segregated cycleways and our ambition for a gigafactory shows just how much there is to do. We will also continue to work with partners such as Midlands Connect to make sure we continue to lead in this area.”