12,000 Electric vehicle charging points boost for Birmingham & West Midlands

Transport for West Midlands (TfWM) has received a £15.7 million boost to its plans to install up to 12,000 electric vehicle chargers across the region over the next five years.

The funding, from the Department for Transport’s Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (LEVI) Fund which was announced on Monday, March 18, will be part of a wider funding package made available to local councils, businesses and residents to part-fund installations.

TfWM said that - added to funding already set aside for electric vehicle charging points in the region - this means a total of £55m is now available, which officers plan to use to leverage substantial private sector investment to accelerate the roll out.

The regional transport authority is working with councils, private sector suppliers and utility firms, to design the programme to deliver a programme to thousands of smaller roadside low-power chargers from nine larger ultra rapid-charging transit stations.

Electric vehicle charging stations to be in neighbourhoods in Birmingham and the West Midlands

TfWM said the roll out of charging infrastructure will ensure the West Midlands is well placed to accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles – both for energy efficiency and to help the region meet its #wm2041 carbon reduction targets

As well as funding to local authorities, the DfT announced additional funding for homeowners or renters who do not have off-street parking to help install on-street charging points.

How to get a train for a job to help roll out the EV infrastructure

The £55m funding package is made up of the £15.7m LEVI funding, £3m LEVI pilot funding  and  £36m from the City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement (CRSTS).

In addition to this increased investment in EV infrastructure, the WMCA also funding a series of free Skills Bootcamps to provide people with the skills needed for a career in the industry.

These practical and engaging short courses are available at:

• City of Wolverhampton College Electric Vehicle & Green Technologies Centre - City of Wolverhampton College

• Teach a Trade: Available-Funding-at-Teach-A-Trade.png (1414×2000) (teachatrade.co.uk)

• Skills Max Academy: Design & Installation of Electric Vehicle Charging Installations Skills Bootcamp - Skills Training Courses | Skills Max Academy

What politicians have said about the funding boost for electric vehicle charging points in Birmingham and the West Midlands

Andy Street, Mayor of the West Midlands and chair of the WMCA said: “We recognise that there are many people and businesses who would like to make the switch to an electric vehicle but are worried about the lack of chargers – especially those who do not have their own driveway or garage.

“That is why we welcome this new £15m investment from the Department for Transport which will help us deliver a revolution in vehicle charging infrastructure, from smaller roadside chargers to faster charging hubs across our region.

“This will be added to funding we already have in place and private sector investment and, working with our member councils, will enable us to install up to 12,000 electric vehicle (EV) chargers across our region – targeting those areas which need them most.

“This is a crucial part of our plans to deliver a green transport revolution and help reduce pollution and tackle the climate emergency.”

Get a bespoke headline round-up, as well as breaking updates, when you sign up to BirminghamWorld’s free emails Technology and Decarbonisation Minister Anthony Browne said: “This Government has a plan to help speed up the installation of EV chargepoints, which we’re getting on and delivering.

“This dedicated funding to local councils is part of our plan to ensure people can switch from a petrol or diesel car to an EV when they choose to do so.”

Cllr Mike Bird, WMCA portfolio lead for transport and leader of Walsall Council, added: “As a region the West Midlands is at the forefront of moves to low and zero-emission transport – whether it’s the investment in hundreds of electric buses, the pioneering work on battery powered trams and work to electrify our rail fleet.

“Now, thanks to this latest funding, we are targeting private vehicle owners to make it easier for them to ditch their polluting cars or vans and help improve the air quality in our towns and cities.”