26 new electric vehicle charging points are now available for use
across County Durham and Northumberland as North
East Mayor Kim McGuinness's ambitious project to green the
region's transport reaches its first significant milestone.
Northumberland County Council has completed the installation of
all 10 of its new EV charging points, whilst Durham County
Council has installed 16 of its 19 chargers, with the final three
set to be in place early next year.
The installations form part of Mayor Kim's 92-charger
rollout across the North East, designed to support the
region's transition to greener transport and ensure rural
communities are not left behind in the shift to electric
vehicles.
North East Mayor said: “As both
someone who owns an EV, and lives in a rural community, I know
just how important improving access to chargers is as we make the
move to a greener North East.
“This isn't just about greening our transport
– it's about ensuring no one is left behind as we move
towards a more sustainable future.
“By putting this infrastructure in place now, we're giving people
across the North East the confidence to make the move
to EVs, knowing they'll be able to charge their vehicles wherever
they live, work or visit."
The new charging points have been
strategically located to serve areas where access to EV
infrastructure has previously been
limited, demonstrating the Mayor's commitment
to ensuring residents and visitors in rural locations have the
same opportunities to make the switch to electric vehicles as
those in urban centres.
This milestone represents significant progress in
Mayor Kim's mission to deliver sustainable, green
transport across the North East, whilst boosting local
economies by making rural destinations more accessible to EV
drivers.
Funded through the Governments previously
announced Levelling Up Fund, the 92 EV chargers
follow earlier investment through the fund to
deliver 52 zero emission buses across Arriva,
Go North East and Stagecoach.
Minister for Aviation, Maritime and Decarbonisation,
said: “We want
everyone to be able to charge up on the go no matter where they
live. These latest additions are just the start of our record
boost to the charging network, with thousands more
chargers planned for the North East and a further £19
million allocated to install chargers and
cross-pavement charging channels for people without
driveways.
“Chargepoint numbers in the North East continue to
grow and drivers can also save thousands off the price of new
EV's through our Electric Car Grant, with over 40,000 people
already benefiting.”
Over the next five years the North East will see more
than 1,000 charge points installed as residents, communities
and visitors are supported with the transition to electric
vehicles.
ENDS
Notes to Editors:
- Locations for the Northumberland chargers:
- 1 x Ashwood Business Park, Ashington
- 1 x Chapel Street Car Park, Berwick
- 2 x Greenwell Car Park, Alnwick
- 2 x Newmarket Car Park, Morpeth
- 1 x Otterburn Village Hall
- 1 x Queen Street Car Park, Amble
- 2 x Wentworth Car Park, Hexham
- Locations for the Durham chargers:
- 8 x Netpark (Plexus) phase 3
- 1 x Shotton Colliery Business Park
- 1 x Annfield Plain (Clavering Place)
- 1 x Clarence St Spennymoor
- Locations not yet delivered:
