Midlands to receive millions in government EV chargepoint investment, including Nottinghamhire County Council and Lincolnshire County Council

In a major boost for drivers in the Midlands, charging electric vehicles is set to become easier with millions in funding for chargepoints across the region.

The investment is part of the government’s £381 million Local Electric Vehicle (LEVI) fund to councils across the country, which can choose the best locations to install chargepoints in their area.

Now, payments to 44 councils nationally have been approved, including Nottinghamshire County Council who are set to receive £6.174m.

The funding will support the delivery of thousands of chargepoints across the Midlands in a bid to encourage more drivers to make the switch to electric vehicles.

It comes as over 56,000 public chargepoints have now been installed across the UK — up 47% from this time last year

Additionally, the authorities who have already been allocated LEVI funding will be able to apply for further fund from April 2.

Technology and decarbonisation minister, Anthony Browne, said: “This government has a plan to help speed up the installation of electric vehicle chargepoints, which we’re getting on and delivering across the Midlands.

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

To further support electric vehicle drivers and those looking to switch to electric, a £350 Electric Vehicle Chargepoint Grant for homeowners without driveways or dedicated parking spaces will be widened to those to those that do have adequate street parking.

The funding is intended to bring down the cost of electric vehicle ownership by providing up to 75% off the cost of purchasing and installing a chargepoint — although applicants must also have permission from their council to do so.

To help councils deliver electric vehicle infrastructure, a training course will launch this week covering key topics from technology to procurement.

Today also marks the launch of the Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Forum, which will discuss how best to tackle barriers and accelerate the delivery of charging infrastructure.

The forum will be chaired AA President, Edmund King, who said: “AA surveys show that one of the main reasons why many drivers are hesitant towards switching to electric vehicles is the perception that there are not enough charging points.

“To give confidence to drivers now and for the future, we need to overcome these barriers which will help unlock cleaner, greener motoring for all. Extending grants to those without off-street parking is a step in the right direction.

“I’m proud to be co-chairing the Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Forum as I’m committed to helping consumers transition to zero emission vehicles and an efficient, affordable, accessible charging infrastructure is key to that.

“I’m also confident that the UK’s brilliant charging and automotive industry can deliver and play a key part in the UK’s Net Zero ambitions.”

Fully electric vehicles accounted for over 16% of the new UK car market in 2023, according to industry statistics.

Today's announcement also comes after the introduction of the zero-emission vehicle mandate into law earlier this year — a regulatory framework for the switch to electric vehicles.

The mandate requires 80% of new cars and 70% of new vans sold in Great Britain to be zero emission by 2030, and 100% by 2035.