100 electric vehicle charging points installed around Gloucestershire

Work on installing 1,000 electric vehicle (EV) charging points in Gloucestershire over the next three years is progressing well, with the first 100 now installed around the county.

By the end of March, nearly 130 chargepoints will have been installed, which will act as a springboard to step up the rollout in the next financial year 2024/25.

The programme has been given a further boost with the announcement that the Department for Transport (DfT) has confirmed the award of £3.629 million to Gloucestershire from its Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (LEVI) Capital Fund.

This will be used to step up the scale of the rollout so even more chargepoints can be installed across the county.

More than 30 sites were initially chosen to be part of the first phase of the rollout after residents were invited to give their feedback.

The following locations have been announced in the first phase of the rollout in Cheltenham:

• George Readings Way
• Opposite Cypress Court
• Malvern Road
• Pennine Road
• Montpellier Street
• Ewlyn Road
• St Luke's Road
• Overton Park Road
• Sherborne Street
• Montpelier Spa Road
• Manchester Way
• Andover Road and Tivoli Road

To ensure value for money, two twin chargepoints have been installed in many locations, so four EVs can be charged. However, in areas with the greatest parking pressures only two bays for EVs are being marked out initially, before there is demand to fill four bays.

The council made it a high priority to find sites in the Stroud district after some locations were dropped following feedback. As a result, chargepoints have been installed in Bowbridge Lane, Stroud, and Nortonwood, Nailsworth.

The programme is part of the county council’s strategy to create a Greener Gloucestershire, by helping to reduce the impact of transport on our climate and improve local air quality. The scheme is funded by the county council and the Department for Transport’s On Street Residential Chargepoint Scheme (ORCS).

Greater availability of public chargepoints will make it easier for residents to switch to EVs. One third of homes in Gloucestershire lack the ability to charge an EV on a driveway, which is why the council and government are prioritising chargepoints in locations where off-street parking is not available.

These new chargepoints have been installed in public areas, giving residents greater confidence that they will be able to charge their EV either near their home, while working or when out and about in the county.

Around one third of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions in Gloucestershire come from transport, of which private vehicle use accounts for over half of this (55 per cent). However, switching from fossil fuel to electric vehicles has the potential to reduce carbon emissions significantly.

The county council has appointed Connected Kerb to install and run its network of chargers. Residents can share their views on where they think new charging points should be located by registering their interest here.

Cllr David Gray, cabinet member for environment and planning at Gloucestershire County Council, said: “It’s great news that our rollout of electric vehicle charging points is progressing well, with the first 100 now installed. This work will continue thanks to the £3.629 million funding we have received from the Department for Transport. More locations are being identified around the county, providing accessible facilities for residents who do not have off-street parking.

“This will make it easier for people to switch to electric vehicles, helping to create a greener Gloucestershire, as they reduce emissions and noise pollution and improve air quality.”

Chris Pateman-Jones, CEO of Connected Kerb, said: “Making EV charging easily available to everyone is essential to Gloucestershire – and the whole UK – meeting its climate change goals. This means supporting EV drivers without driveways with reliable, affordable, and convenient public charging infrastructure that can last a generation. We’re thrilled to be involved in this project and believe it will deliver tangible benefits for Gloucestershire residents for years to come.”

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.”

Find out more about how you can reduce your travel emissions on the Thinktravel website: https://www.thinktravel.info

Keep up to date with the latest climate change news from the council by subscribing to the Greener Gloucestershire Climate Action newsletter.