Shropshire to get extra 270 electric car charge points after £900,000 funding boost
Another 270 on-street electric car charging points are to be installed in Shropshire.
Shropshire Council said that it would be able to put in the new charging points after being successful in a bid to government for funding – with more than £900,000 awarded for the work.
The council said it would work with its charge point operator, Connected Kerb, to use the £902,940 to bring the number of charging points in the county up to 320, across 45 locations.
Ian Nellins, Shropshire Council’s cabinet member for climate change, environment and transport, said: “For electric vehicles, charging at home usually occurs off-street in garages and driveways, a convenient and efficient option. However, in many parts of Shropshire off-street parking is unavailable to residents.
“By installing charge points on-street or in public car parks, residents without off-street parking can enjoy the convenience and value of charging their electric vehicles.
“This is one of the biggest awards to have been made to any council under the on-street residential charging points scheme from the Office of Zero Emission Vehicles, and it means we can add 270 more charge points to our streets and car parks to benefit the growing number of hybrid and EV owners in the county.
“We’re committed to improving and developing infrastructure to enable residents and businesses to lead more sustainable and self-sufficient lives, which in turn helps reduce the impacts of climate change on our environment. Providing more electric vehicle charge points is just one of the ways we are delivering on this priority.”
Chris Pateman-Jones, CEO of Connected Kerb, said: “It is an exciting opportunity for Connected Kerb and Shropshire Council to continue in partnership.
“Providing equal access to affordable electric vehicle charging across the country is essential if the UK is to be EV-ready by 2030, and Shropshire is to become carbon net-neutral in the same year.”
The funding comes from The Office for Zero Emission Vehicles, with support of the Energy Saving Trust.
Shropshire Council said it has already worked with Connected Kerb to deliver charging points in towns including Bridgnorth, Ludlow, Market Drayton, Oswestry, Shrewsbury and Whitchurch.
The authority declared a climate emergency in May 2019, and in December 2020 adopted a Climate Strategy and Action Plan, which establishes the objective of achieving net-zero carbon performance for the council by 2030.
