Cornwall Council has announced that it has installed over 180 electric vehicle (EV) charging points in 35 county council-owned car parks. This brings the total number of charging units across Cornwall to over 500. The installation of these EV points is part of the Drive EV2 project, which aims to improve the county’s EV charging infrastructure and enhance accessibility for residents.
The Drive EV2 project initially had a target of 150 charge points, which has been comfortably surpassed. The project aims to extend Cornwall’s charging network into rural areas and locations with limited charging coverage. The council has stated that additional charge points will be live this month.
The current charge points in council car parks are operated by SWARCO Smart Charging. Richard Pears, the council cabinet transport portfolio holder, stated that the project intends to install units in areas where the private sector is unlikely to invest in their own chargers, such as rural locations.
Martyn Alvey, the council cabinet portfolio holder for environment and climate change, emphasized the importance of keeping up with the demand for EV infrastructure. With road transport responsible for a significant portion of Cornwall’s carbon emissions, the increasing number of electric vehicles on the roads necessitates a matching growth in charging infrastructure.
The project has received funding of up to £3.6 million from the European Regional Development Fund. This investment will contribute to Cornwall’s goal of promoting sustainable transportation and reducing carbon emissions.
With the UK planning to ban the sale of petrol and diesel vehicles by 2030, Cornwall Council’s efforts to expand its EV charging network are an important step towards a cleaner and greener future.
Sources:
– Cornwall Council