SHROPSHIRE Council has successfully secured a slice of almost £40 million in funding to expand its network of electric vehicle (EV) charging points.

The authority is one of several in the Midlands that will share the £39.3 million awarded by the UK Government.

The initiative is a part of the Government's Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (LEVI) scheme and is aiming to make a significant impact on the region's EV charging infrastructure.

Shropshire Council, in partnership with sub-national transport body Midlands Connect, emerged victorious in one of two partnerships that submitted a compelling bid for the LEVI scheme.

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Ian Nellins, Shropshire Council's Cabinet member for climate change, environment, and transport, expressed his delight at the news.

He added: “The number of electric vehicles on our roads is increasing day by day and it is vital that people have access to on-street charging to allow them to move around freely, to support our local economy and to help take positive steps over climate change.”

Recent statistics from Shropshire Council indicate a robust demand for charging points across the county, with over 400 users responsible for more than 1,000 transactions at existing charging stations.

This equates to roughly 5,226 miles of travel, saving approximately 1.5 tonnes of carbon compared to conventional petrol and diesel vehicles.

This funding windfall will be distributed among 13 participating councils and will facilitate the installation of additional on-street EV charging points. The project is set to span from 2024 to 2028.

A comprehensive analysis by Midlands Connect has revealed that the Midlands region requires 17,461 new public EV charging points by the end of 2025 to adequately serve the burgeoning EV market.

Furthermore, the installation and maintenance of these charging points are anticipated to yield an influx of employment opportunities in the Midlands, with over 42,000 related jobs expected to be generated by the close of 2032.

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Maria Machancoses, CEO of Midlands Connect, added:“We are delighted our bid to secure over £39m for 13 councils across the Midlands has been successful.

“This is a vital next step in our efforts to improve electric vehicle charging infrastructure across the region ahead of the ban of diesel and petrol vehicles in 2030.

“This funding will improve the lives of those living in the Midlands, particularly for those who do not have access to off-street parking and may struggle to charge their vehicle otherwise.”

While the precise allocation of funding shares and the locations for the new EV charging points are yet to be disclosed, this investment marks a significant stride toward a greener, more sustainable future for the area.