A £1.4 million bid to create a network of EV charge points across Cumbria has been given the green light.
Cumbria County Council, on behalf of the One Public Estate partnership, led the bid for the cash from the Government.
The funding, which is being topped up to by almost £500,000 by private charge point installers and operators, will allow the partnership to accelerate its commitment to provide better public electric vehicle charge point infrastructure.
The scheme will see up to 780, standard 7kw charge points installed within streetlights or new charging bollards on the public highway.
This will include some ‘destination chargers’ where limited parking bays would enable charging for multiple users. The remaining 120 charge points, which will also be 7kw, will mostly be in existing local authority owned car parks.
Councillor Keith Little, Cumbria County Council’s cabinet member for highways and transport, said: “It’s fantastic to play a part in driving forward Cumbria’s approach to EV charging infrastructure and I’m delighted that we are working alongside partners with the shared ambition of providing a charge point network that both works for the county as a whole and addresses the unique needs of our area.
“This funding will significantly expand the charge point network and help facilitate the mass uptake of EVs. There has often been the argument that this uptake must wait for the widespread expansion of charging infrastructure. However, acknowledging this ‘cart and horse’ conundrum, this project is about proving that to facilitate change we need a suitably expanding charge point network that paves the way for the future.”
Phil Gray, project manager for the EV partnership added: “What’s particularly impressive about this project is the way the local councils, NHS, police and other public bodies have come together to make sure Cumbria is ahead of the curve in providing accessible charge points for residents, workers and visitors across the whole county.”
The partnership is also holding a free event on March 14 at the Pencil Factory in Keswick offering businesses expert advice from industry leaders on how to reduce costs and reduce carbon emissions.
The event, which is being organised with Electricity North West Ltd, aims to enable local businesses and organisations to make the transition to electric vehicles. Secure a free place at the event via Eventbrite – https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/leading-the-charge-electrifying-travel-in-cumbria-tickets-530352658077
