A new strategy is being developed to ensure the city can support residents, visitors and businesses who are making the switch to electric vehicles over the next five years.
Stoke-on-Trent City Council’s Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Strategy outlines what needs to be done to provide more public electric vehicle (EV) charging points as the number of EVs on the city’s roads looks set to increase significantly by 2030.
Latest figures show that there are 1,700 EVs currently registered in Stoke-on-Trent but, by 2030, it is estimated that 25 per cent of all cars on the city’s roads will be electric.
At the moment, Stoke-on-Trent has just 86 public charging points - predominantly located in service stations and retail parks. To address the increasing demand for sockets, this number needs to rise to over 800 sites within the next five years.
Councillor Finlay Gordon-McCusker, cabinet member for transport, infrastructure and regeneration at Stoke-on-Trent City Council, said: “Electric vehicles give us cleaner air and quieter streets, so we need to make sure that they are accessible to everyone.
“We plan to invest millions of pounds upgrading our existing infrastructure. We’re prioritising areas with poor air quality and neighbourhoods where off-street parking isn’t an option.
“This strategy not only reflects our shared commitment to a cleaner, healthier and more sustainable future for Stoke-on-Trent but, by creating a strong and reliable network of EV charging stations, we’re also laying the foundation for economic growth.
“We want to build a system that’s sustainable for the long term and ensure we’re building a better quality of life for our residents and future generations.”
The Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Strategy has been developed on the back of the government’s mission to phase out petrol and diesel cars by 2030 and hybrid vehicles by 2035.
Supported by £3 million of funding from the government’s Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (LEVI) fund, the council is proposing to:
- Expand EV charging infrastructure into residential areas, public car parks and high-traffic zones
- Partner with private-sector stakeholders to scale-up existing infrastructure and attract further investment into the city
- Ensure infrastructure can accommodate future advancements in EV technology and increased demand
- Introduce cross-pavement charging for residents without off-street parking to enable safe and convenient home charging
- Ensure all charging points adhere to national accessibility standards.
Individuals who already have an electric vehicle, those who are considering making the switch and those who have not even thought about it yet are now being asked for their views on the strategy during a five-week consultation.
People are being invited to fill in an online survey and tell us if they think the council is going in the right direction when it comes to EV charging infrastructure.
Visit Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Strategy and Delivery Programme | Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Delivery Programme | Stoke-on-Trent. The deadline for responses is Sunday 19th October.
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