- Five Midlands councils secured funding to create decarbonisation plans, emphasising EV adoption and sustainable energy solutions.
- Boston, Redditch, and Staffordshire will implement EV charging, fleet electrification, clean fuels, and freight-to-rail transitions.
- These initiatives aim to reduce emissions, support businesses, and provide blueprints for industrial decarbonisation in other regions.
Industrial decarbonisation projects accelerate sustainable practices with EV investments across the Midlands
The Midlands is taking a big step toward net zero. Five councils have secured funding to create decarbonisation plans for local industrial zones. The Midlands Net Zero Hub, supported by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, is driving the initiative.
Electric vehicles (EVs) are a major focus of the projects. Boston Borough Council will install EV charging stations as part of its Marsh Lane estate plans. It also aims to create a microgrid with renewable energy, battery storage, and energy efficiency upgrades. An energy-from-waste centre may also provide sustainable heat for nearby businesses.
Redditch Borough Council is targeting logistics companies by proposing a vehicle charging hub. This will help fleets transition to EVs while reducing emissions. The project supports the Worcestershire Energy Strategy and aims to address challenges that can be replicated countywide.
In Staffordshire, the Midlands Growth Corridor (A50/500) project will focus on clean fuels and smart factory technology. It also plans to develop infrastructure for moving freight from road to rail, reducing emissions and supporting EV use in transport. Meanwhile, Dudley and Worcester are also exploring innovative ways to reduce carbon while supporting local businesses.
Jack Hayhoe, Head of Net Zero Programmes at Midlands Net Zero Hub, commented:
“I would like to congratulate the successful applicants of the Industrial Zones Decarbonisation Project. We know that industry can be a challenging sector to decarbonise, so we are pleased to support local authorities in the region to partner with organisations to develop strategies to reach net zero. We look forward to seeing the results of these projects, which can be used as a blueprint for other industrial and commercial zones in the Midlands.”
These projects will act as blueprints for other regions, showing how industry can embrace EVs and sustainable energy. It further imprints how essential local authority engagement is to decarbonisation, and the wide spread of accessible EV infrastructure.
