Electric vehicle charging points - Government funds available for all of the East of England's local authorities!
EValu8 is leading the Government-supported 'plugged in places' project in the East of England which is installing charging points for electric vehicles (EVs) across the region.
EValu8 Transport Innovations Ltd is a not-for-profit organisation based at the University of Hertfordshire.
Through the project EValu8 are able to offer:
- grants of up to 75% to all local authorities in the East of England, at County, Borough or District level, to cover the costs of providing public or workplace EV charging points;
- grants of up to 75% to 'small and medium sized enterprises' wishing to install EV charging points, with grants of up to 50% available to other organisations;
- Grants of up to 75% on home charge units and 50% grants for eco-build housing projects.
- Free electricity from renewable sources through Ecotricity sponsorship of the Source East network
Electric vehicles and their supporting infrastructure can make an important contribution to sustainable transport policies, to planning and development proposals, to the corporate and social responsibility aims of organisations, and to the economy more widely. It provides significant opportunities across a new value chain for the development, deployment and integration of plug-in vehicles. Importantly, with the transport sector having a significant impact on greenhouse gas emissions EVs can make a vital contribution to supporting the East of England's transition to a low carbon economy.
What should local authorities do next?
Interested local authorities are encouraged to make early contact with the EValu8 team to discuss their potential requirements by emailing info@evalu8-ti.org.uk or calling 01707 284742. Further information, including answers to a large number of 'FAQs', is also available at
http://www.evalu8-ti.org.uk/.
Local authorities can also further support take-up of this exciting opportunity for the East of England by promoting the scheme among their partners and stakeholders including businesses, other authorities and public sector organisations, and developers.
Domestic transport accounts for 20% of the UK's greenhouse gas emissions, with road transport being responsible for over 90% of this total. The East of England's Transport and Carbon Study suggests that this could rise further unless action is taken to encourage different transport choices among residents and businesses in the region.
Although encouraging people to travel on foot, by bike, and by public transport is important, the increased use of low carbon electric vehicles can also make a significant contribution.
In addition to the sustainable transport benefits, there are significant economic opportunities for businesses. Already the East of England's low carbon industry forms 9% of the UK market and is worth in excess of £10 billion. The EV market, and the accompanying infrastructure and support networks, offer businesses scope to develop new technologies, products and services across the transport, built environment, digital and energy sectors, including opportunities across a new value chain for the development, deployment and integration of plug-in vehicles.
Plugged in places
'Plugged in Places' is a Government initiative promoted by the Department for Transport's (DfT) Office for Low Emission Vehicles (OLEV) to support the installation of EV recharging infrastructure in a number of regions and locations across the UK in recognition of the contribution EVs can make to transport in a low carbon economy.
The East of England was one of eight locations successfully selected as a 'plugged in place' by OLEV following a competitive selection process. The EValu8 project is supporting the development of a network of EV charging points across the region composed of:
- up to 1,200 post-mounted recharging points;
- 400 home charging points;
- installations in 500 'EV-ready' Eco-Homes; and
- 8 rapid chargers.
This network, known as Source East (see
http://www.sourceeast.net/), will give member drivers unlimited access to charging points in the network, and the ability to access charging points in other networks outside the East of England. Ecotricity, who are supporting the network, will ensure that electricity comes from renewable sources.
For further information on the project overall go to
http://www.evalu8-ti.org.uk/, email
info@evalu8-ti.org.uk, or call 01707 284742.