New funding supports EV chargers. It aims to improve lagging infrastructure for electric vehicles in North East England.
The North East got £15.8 million for EV chargers and will install over 1,000 new chargers by 2030. These chargers target areas without off-street parking and will also aid uncovered communities. The North East has the fewest public EV chargers in England.
Zapmap says the North East has 2,311 chargers, with only 511 being rapid or ultra-rapid. London has 22,706 chargers, the most in the UK.
A 2023 report estimated 28,000 chargers are needed over the next 15 years as petrol cars end. The £15.8 million helps, but a gap remains. The Department for Transport approved the LEVI funding.
Mayor Kim McGuinness hopes for more EV adoption, stating they secured £15.8 million for more chargers. She drives an EV and knows finding chargers is hard, so she wants better EV infrastructure.
NECA said the 28,000 charger goal came from the old plan to meet the prior government’s net-zero target; they did not give an updated charger goal.
Roads minister Lilian Greenwood spoke about the funding. She stated this growth supports jobs, and it also helps the UK become a clean energy superpower.