Hundreds of electric vehicle charging points are set to be installed in Stoke-on-Trent in a move which will help to reduce pollution and improve air quality.
Stoke-on-Trent City Council has secured more than £3 million through the Department for Transport’s (DfT) Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (LEVI) Fund to install up to 500 electric vehicle charging points across the city.
Across two phases, the city council has been awarded £2,693,000 for the installation of a network of electric vehicle charging points (EVCPs) and £411,000 for additional resources to support the delivery of the programme.
This funding is in addition to the £935,000 which was awarded to Stoke-on-Trent City Council – and four other local authorities – as part of a pilot project led by transport body Midlands Connect.
Now the city council is proceeding with its Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Delivery Programme following cabinet approval earlier today (Tuesday 10 October).
Councillor Amjid Wazir, cabinet member for city pride, enforcement and sustainability, said: “Like most towns and cities, Stoke-on-Trent has poor air quality and road transport is a key contributor to that. Pollution can have a detrimental impact on the health of our residents, so we hope this scheme will benefit the environment as well as motorists and commuters.
“We understand that not everyone wants, or chooses to use, electric vehicles but we also recognise that we need to improve the accessibility of charging points across the city, particularly for those without their own driveways.
“We have received 100 per cent funding for this programme so it will come at no additional cost to the taxpayer. Now we want to work with partners in the coming years to bring forward this scheme and make sure we are ready for our residents and businesses when they want to switch to electric vehicles.”
New data shows that Stoke-on-Trent will require 800 public charging points by 2030 to meet the electric vehicle charging demand. Currently there are around 1,500 electric vehicles in the city and less than 60 accessible charging points.
The pilot project will see around 50 charging points installed across the city in 2024/25 while the city council’s wider Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Delivery Programme will include the installation of a further 500 EVCPs between 2025 – 2029.
The majority of the EVCPs will be installed in residential areas with limited off-street parking for charging electric vehicles.
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