Multi-million pound electric vehicle network launches in West Yorkshire

A regional electric vehicle rapid-charging network has gone live with the switch-on of its first chargepoint in West Yorkshire.

The chargepoint, situated in Vicar Lane in Bradford, marks the beginning of a scheme worth over £3m aiming to improve the area’s air quality.

Scheduled to be completed later this year, the network will continue to add new locations with 88 chargepoints set to be being installed across West Yorkshire.

Each of the new Engie-developed sites, which are free to use until the end of October 2021, will have two bays - one exclusively for taxis and private hire vehicles and one for other users.

llr Manisha Kaushik, deputy chair of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority Transport Committee said: “Around 500 diesel taxis and private hire cars are forecast to be converted to hybrid and pure electric vehicles as a result of us rolling out these chargepoints.

“Plus, the increased availability of rapid chargepoint locations will help counter ‘range anxiety’, which is currently discouraging people from switching to electric vehicles.”

Nicola Lovett, CEO of ENGIE UK and Ireland added: “These chargepoints will play a key role in tackling air pollution and creating a greener, cleaner place for people who live and work in West Yorkshire.

“There has been a real improvement in carbon reduction where we’ve implemented green initiatives in other cities and we are looking forward to seeing the West Yorkshire region benefit from this fantastic scheme.”