- Helping to support both Cornish residents and the millions that visit the region every year, Cornwall Council has successfully bid for £5.5 million in funding through the Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (LEVI) fund, which will help add up to 2,000 charge points to the region.
- The initial charge points will be installed in council car parks, with on-street chargers also set to see a boost as the result of the funding.
- This additional charging infrastructure comes as EV uptake in the UK is set to surge, thanks to a looming ZEV mandate and the recently-introduced Electric Car Grant.
Cornwall Council set for public EV charging boost
The funding, which comes as part of England’s ongoing LEVI scheme, will focus on lower power and cheaper to use charging infrastructure, rather than the likes of ultra-rapid charging hubs. This focus is set to directly benefit local EV drivers, particularly those unable to charge at home on off-street parking. With the approximate 2,000 charge points set to consist of both car park locations and on-street locations, the council is asking for residents and other groups to give their own views on where they believe this new infrastructure should be placed.
According to Zapmap data, the South West of England, which the area of Cornwall Council falls under, already has over 5,800 public chargers, highlighting the significance of this 2,000 charger boost. With a UK-wide goal of 300,000 public chargers by 2030, this new project will help contribute to the ever-growing nationwide figure – which currently stands at over 82,000.
Councillor Dan Rogerson, Cornwall Council Cabinet Member for Transport, commented:
“With less than five years to go until the ban on new diesel and petrol engines comes into effect, we want to make sure the infrastructure is in place to meet the needs of our residents.
This funding means we can install chargers in our rural communities where the private sector is unlikely to invest. It also means that, for the first time, we can consider on-street charging. To make the most difference however, we need to hear from communities about where to install them.”
