North East plugs into EV future

A regional transport initiative has switched on its first public electric vehicle chargers in North Tyneside as part of a wider drive to expand access to greener travel.

The North East Combined Authority and charging provider Zest have launched new fast chargers at five community locations, including Norfolk Street Car Park, Beaconsfield Car Park, Front Street Car Park, Bournemouth Gardens Car Park and the Jon Willie Sams Centre.

The installations form part of a broader programme announced last year to deliver 40 fast-charging EV spaces across Newcastle, North Tyneside, Gateshead and Sunderland.

Designed to support everyday journeys, the chargers aim to improve access for residents without off-street parking while also serving visitors to town centres, leisure facilities and coastal areas.

Robin Heap, chief executive at Zest, said: “The first EV chargers in North Tyneside mark a significant milestone in the partnership between Zest and the North East Combined Authority. 

“They provide reliable and convenient charging for local drivers, supporting the switch to electric and are the initial phase of the development of a strategically located, region-wide EV charging network.”

The scheme is backed by funding from the Government’s Levelling Up Fund and the On-Street Residential Chargepoint Scheme, alongside private investment from Zest.

Further sites across the region are expected to go live later this year as work continues to expand the North East’s public charging network.

Karen Clark, elected mayor of North Tyneside and North East Combined Authority member for home to the green energy revolution, added: “These chargers are an important step forward in making cleaner travel more accessible. 

“We know that not everyone has a driveway, so providing reliable public charging in the right places matters. 

“By putting chargers in convenient locations for residents, businesses and visitors, we’re giving people easy options for parking and charging as part of their everyday journeys. 

“This is about supporting a greener future while making life simpler for the people who live, work and spend time in North Tyneside.”

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