- West Midlands will install 10,000 new EV charging points, including 200 ultra-fast units at nine dedicated hubs.
- Charger numbers in the region rose 36% in a year, supported by government funds and local councils.
- The plan supports UK-wide EV goals, tackling rural disparities and boosting access to rapid charging infrastructure.
West Midlands to add 10,000 EV chargers as UK-wide Rollout accelerates
West Midlands Mayor, Richard Parker, has announced plans to install 10,000 new public charging points across the region in the coming years.
Currently, the region boasts over 4,000 publicly accessible chargers—a 36% increase from the previous year. This growth places the West Midlands fifth among English regions outside London for charger availability. On average, there are about 11 chargers per square mile.
The expansion will include nearly 200 ultra-fast chargers at nine new hubs, capable of delivering 100 miles of range in under 15 minutes. Transport for West Midlands (TfWM), in collaboration with local councils, is leading the rollout. Funding comes from the Department for Transport’s Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (LEVI) Fund and the region’s £1.3 billion City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement (CRSTS).
Mayor Parker stated:
“The West Midlands is the beating heart of the UK car industry and I want us to lead the charge into a new era of electrification. Our roadside EV charging network is already one of the fastest-growing in the country, but I’m not stopping there.
I’m giving the green light for 10,000 more charging connection points as part of our transport revolution. This is about building a cleaner and greener future for all of our communities, reducing pollution and tackling the climate emergency head-on.”
This move aligns with broader efforts across the Midlands. For instance, Birmingham is rolling out 560 lamppost-mounted chargers in residential areas lacking off-street parking. With 300 already installed and the remainder expected by spring 2025, this project aims to make overnight charging more accessible and support the city’s net-zero goals.
Nationally, the UK’s public EV charging network grew by 37% in 2024, reaching over 73,000 devices. However, disparities remain. While urban areas have seen significant growth, rural regions still lag behind. Additionally, only 20% of chargers are rapid, highlighting the need for more high-speed charging options.
The West Midlands’ ambitious plan aims to address these challenges, ensuring equitable access to charging infrastructure and supporting the UK’s transition to emobility.
