Plans for an extensive expansion of electric vehicle charging infrastructure in the West of England have received a major funding boost.
Metro Mayor Dan Norris examining a vehicle | Photo © Freia Turland
Metro Mayor Dan Norris has secured £7 million to accelerate the region’s “electric car revolution”.
The West of England Combined Authority (WECA), led by Mr Norris, has been awarded up to £6.6 million from the government to purchase and install hundreds of additional EV charging points across the region.
An additional £560,000 has also been allocated for the administration of the new charge points.
The funding is contingent on the development of suitable plans in collaboration with government officials and local authorities.
It complements the existing £5 million investment already earmarked by Mr Norris as part of the £60 million Green Recovery Plan, which aims to establish an extensive network of charge points throughout the West of England.
Over 200 charging points are planned for installation in the current financial year.
The expansion of charging infrastructure is considered crucial for driving the widespread adoption of electric vehicles, as it ensures convenient access to charging facilities.
Metro Mayor Norris envisions a seamless experience for local electric vehicle (EV) owners, with charging their vehicles being “as easy – if not easier – than filling up at the pump”.
Presently, the West of England boasts over 580 publicly available charging points.
However, projections indicate that more than 1,800 charging points may be required to achieve the ambitious net-zero-by-2030 target set for the West of England region.
Mr Norris said: “In order to have an ‘electric vehicle revolution’ we need to turbocharge efforts to make charging your car as easy – if not easier – than filling up at the pump.
“That’s why this is such a big win for our region as my West of England Mayoral Combined Authority accelerates the rollout of easily available, reliable and straightforward to use charging points in the West of England – to make it easier than ever to own an electric car, wherever in the region you live.
“That’s also a vital step if we are going to reach our very ambitious net-zero targets.”
Sales of new petrol and diesel cars and vans in the UK will be banned from 2030.
