Derby secures share of £40.8m pot to fund EV charge points

A consortium including Derby City Council has been awarded just over £40 million to boost the number of electric vehicle (EV) charge points across the region.

Thirteen local authorities across the Midlands have been awarded £40.8 million from the Government to install more EV charge points in areas with limited off-street parking.

Almost 31% of Midlands residents do not have access to off-street parking, according to Midlands Connect.

It is hoped that increasing the number of public on-street charge points will make it easier for those without a driveway to make the switch to an electric vehicle.

This will also increase the ease of travel and charging for all EV users in the region.

The consortium submitted its bid last year. Out of the 13 local authorities Derbyshire secured the most funding in the East Midlands, with Derby City Council receiving £1.76 million of funding and Derbyshire County Council with £6.6 million.

Councillor Carmel Swan, the city council’s cabinet member for climate change, transport and sustainability, said: “It’s fantastic news that Derby, as well as 12 other local areas, have received funding to enhance their electric vehicle offer and make it even easier for residents to use EVs.

“We’ve made great progress in bringing more EV chargers into Derby over the past few years and this funding will help us to install even more, giving those who live and work in the city  greater choice when deciding how to travel.”

The funding comes from the Government’s Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (LEVI) fund, which will help deliver more than 16,000 charge point sockets across the region, with exact numbers determined as part of future contracts.

Maria Machancoses, chief executive of Midlands Connect, said: “We are delighted that our collaboration with local authorities has resulted in a significant funding boost for electric vehicle infrastructure across the region.

“This is a great step in moving towards a reliable electric vehicle charging infrastructure network across the Midlands, which will become increasingly important as we move closer to the 2035 ban of diesel and petrol vehicles.

“We will continue to work with local authorities to accelerate the roll-out of electric vehicle infrastructure across the Midlands.”

Future of Roads Minister, Lilian Greenwood, said: “Making charging as seamless and as easy as possible is a crucial to making the switch to electric a success, and rolling out over 16,000 chargers across the Midlands will make driving an EV cheaper and easier, especially for those without a driveway.

“Electric vehicles will power growth, cut emissions and improve lives in the Midlands and beyond, as we continue to deliver our Plan for Change.”