Over 150 new EV charging points confirmed for Kirklees
The latest project focuses on areas without off-street parking
Kirklees residents will soon be able to charge electric vehicles closer to home as more than 150 chargers are set to be installed.
Kirklees Council is currently working with West Yorkshire Combined Authority to create a network of public electric vehicle charge points. This is part of a £1.4m pilot scheme using cash from the government’s Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (LEVI) Fund, which focuses on areas without off-street parking.
The scheme is divided into multiple phases, with Phase 1 set to see 716 chargers installed across the whole of West Yorkshire by Blink Charging, 152 of which will be in Kirklees. This feeds into the green ambitions for the West Yorkshire region and Kirklees Council, with a target to be net zero/climate ready by 2038.
Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Housing and Transport, Cllr Moses Crook, said: “This is a really exciting step in the LEVI programme and it brings us one step closer to getting more electric vehicle charging points in the ground in Kirklees.
“This is obviously good news if you own an electric vehicle, but it also makes going electric in Kirklees a more attractive and convenient option, especially for anyone who doesn’t have access to on-street parking”.
Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire, said: “It’s fantastic to have Blink on board as we make it easier for people to switch to electric vehicles. These new charge points closer to home will bring huge benefits to people without off-street parking and contribute to improving air quality in our communities.
“Investing in electric vehicle chargers that are safe, reliable and easy to use will help us build a greener, better-connected West Yorkshire that works for all.”
Chargers are expected to be installed in a combination of on-street locations and off-street areas such as car parks. The local authority says that sites will be chosen using a data-driven approach, taking into account the views of residents and the operator’s expertise.
A range of Standard (3.7kW to under 8kW), Fast (8kW to 49kW), and Rapid (50kW to 149kW) charge points will be delivered to meet the needs of communities.
The Combined Authority has been awarded a further £14.3m of capital funding from the government for the second and third phases of West Yorkshire’s LEVI programme, with suppliers expected to be appointed in 2026 and 2027 respectively.