After receiving £700,000 in government funding, Telford & Wrekin Council is making progress in launching its electric vehicle (EV) chargepoint programme.
This month, the work to install 70 new charging points is set to commence and continue into the new year, backed by chargepoint operator Believ.
Only council-owned car parks are involved in the rollout of fast and rapid EV charge points and are in Wellington, Dawley, Oakengates, Hadley, Ironbridge and Newport. The charging points support Telford and Wrekin’s transition to electric vehicles by improving resident and visitor access to facilities.
Each charging point will feature two sockets, meaning a total of 140 cars would be able to charge at the same time.
Research by Midlands Connect suggests that Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin will see an increase of 1,812 per cent in the uptake of EVs by the end of 2030. Figures are predicted to rise from 6,332 EVs today and 121,044 on its roads by the end of 2030.
Councillor Ollie Vickers, Labour cabinet member for the economy said: “This is a big step forward in the programme with Believ and we are excited to start rolling out charging points in the new year.
“We’re starting in one of Telford and Wrekin’s oldest towns and proud to be supporting people who wish to make the choice to reduce vehicle carbon emissions.”
The project is part-funded through the government’s On-street Residential Charge Point Scheme (ORCS) and Believ, and the includes planning, installation, operation and ongoing maintenance of chargepoints.
Guy Bartlett, chief executive officer of Believ, said: “The business is proud to support a progressive and forward-thinking council to achieve net zero carbon emissions. Telford & Wrekin Council is making significant progress towards achieving carbon neutrality, and we are delighted to deliver a chargepoint infrastructure that helps contribute to its success.
“From delivering fully funded solutions to working in partnership with other sources of funding, we work to deploy bespoke, end-to-end EV charging solutions that suit the local area and our partners best. It is through these partnerships and active collaboration that we move closer to achieving cleaner air for all, and we are excited to be part of Telford and Wrekin Council’s journey.”
Councillor Carolyn Healy, Labour cabinet minister for neighbourhoods, planning & sustainability, said: “In 2019 Telford & Wrekin Council declared a climate emergency and committed to becoming carbon neutral by 2030.
“Five years later, we have cut our carbon emissions by 61 per cent and on track to hit our target date. With the council in the process of switching its own fleet to zero-emissions vehicles, these new charging points will help residents to make the switch to electric vehicles too, making it easier to conveniently charge their vehicles whilst using our free council car parks.”
This comes part of Telford & Wrekin Council’s ’20 pledges in 20 weeks’ campaign, which intends to see the local authority deliver 20 auctions on things that matter most to local people during the first 20 weeks of councillor Lee Carter’s appointment as leader in July, in order to reinforce the council’s ongoing to commitment to protect, care and invest in the borough.
A specialist in delivering all speeds of charge point infrastructure at no expenses to local councils, Believ collaborates with partners, communities and customers to develop and deliver an EV charging network that is publicly accessible, reliable, and future-proof.
