North Yorkshire drivers to benefit from £2.2m EV chargepoint boost

Drivers in North Yorkshire will have better access to electric vehicle charge points, after being awarded £2.2m through a new pilot backed by £20m of government and industry funding announced today.

Through the Local EV Infrastructure (LEVI) pilot scheme, North Yorkshire Council and industry will work together to create new, commercial EV charging infrastructure for residents, from on-street charge points to larger petrol station-style charging hubs.

The scheme aims to help residents without private driveways to have better access to EV chargers, as well as growing the charging network across the country, supporting the nation’s uptake of zero emission vehicles and enabling more people to drive and charge without fear of being caught short, no matter where they are.

The pilot is backed by £10m of government funding and will see North Yorkshire Council awarded £2m by local authorities in the first tranche of the planned £450m scheme, supported by £200k of funding from industry.

Decarbonisation minister Trudy Harrison commented: “We want to expand and grow our world-leading network of EV charge points, working closely with industry and local government, making it even easier for those without driveways to charge their electric vehicles and support the switch to cleaner travel.

“This scheme will help to level up electric vehicle infrastructure across the country, so that everyone can benefit from healthier neighbourhoods and cleaner air.”

Edmund King OBE, AA president, said: “It is essential that more on-street chargers are delivered to boost the transition to zero emission vehicles for those without home charging.

“This injection of an extra £20m funding will help bring power to electric drivers across England from Durham to Dorset. This is one further positive step on the road to electrification.”

The new LEVI fund builds on the success of the On-Street Residential Chargepoint Scheme (ORCS) which has seen nearly 2,900 charge points installed so far with funding provided for approaching 10,000 additional charge points in the future.

By Matthew Neville – Correspondent, Bdaily