The Welsh Government will invest £15m to increase the number of
electric vehicle charging points across Wales.
The funding, confirmed today by Deputy Climate Change Minister
, will be used to help local authorities increase the
number of charging facilities ahead of fossil fuel vehicles being
phased out in 2030.
The new funding follows the £26m already invested in charging
infrastructure across Wales since 2021 which has created more
than 1,600 charging points – enough for one in six battery
electric vehicles.
Deputy Minister for Climate Change, with a responsibility for
transport, said:
“Drivers need to have the confidence to make the switch to
electric vehicles as demand increases and that’s why we are
committed to creating high quality electric vehicle
infrastructure across Wales.
“Most of this work will be delivered by the private sector but
our role is to facilitate private sector investments across Wales
and ensure equality of access.
“To help with this, we have created a private sector taskforce
which will engage with the market, break down any barriers to
investment and accelerate the roll out of charging
infrastructure.
“The funding announced today is another step in the right
direction but we have further to go - we will continue to work
with local authorities and the private sector so that Wales keeps
up with the rapid increase in the number of electric
vehicles.”
Today’s announcement complements the Ultra Low Emissions Vehicle
(ULEV) fund which has already kick-started many EV projects as
the Welsh Government aims to reach its target of providing
charging points for every 20 miles of the strategic trunk network
across Wales by 2025.
Wrexham Council has received £1 million to roll-out EV charging
facilities at a charging hub in the city centre as well as sites
in remote, more rural locations across the county.
Cardiff Council has received £900,000 for the next two years to
roll out EV charging in the region and provide rapid charging
infrastructure at Lamby Way depot for twelve electric Refuse
Collection Vehicles, as part of Cardiff Council’s fleet of 78
Refuse Collection Vehicles.
This transition supports the councils target of having a
zero-emission fleet by 2030, in line with Welsh Governments Low
Carbon Delivery Plan.
Cllr David A Bithell, Deputy Leader and Climate Champion at
Wrexham Council, said: “We are pleased to receive this funding
which will enable us to continue our work to help people to move
to Electric Vehicles through both the creation of a mobility hub
in the city centre and also supporting some of our smaller and
more rural communities with facilities to charge EVs where they
may not have access to off road parking.
“As part of this project we are also looking to add some
increased provision to support active travel and nature.
“We are keen to make a start on this important step on the road
to lower carbon transport for Wrexham.”
Notes to editors
https://senedd.wales/media/e4yldq3y/cr-ld15763-e.pdf
Electric vehicle charging |
GOV.WALES
Link to allocations will
be available at 0001 when embargo is lifted:
https://www.gov.wales/ultra-low-emission-vehicle-transformation-fund-grants-awarded-2023-2024-html
