British Secretary of State for Transport, Grant Shapps says funding for the On-Street Residential Chargepoint Scheme (ORCS) will continue into 2021/22, allowing residents without private parking to charge their vehicle.
Local authorities are being urged to take advantage of a GBP20m (US$27m) cash injection to boost the number of on-street electric vehicle chargepoints in towns and cities across the UK.
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Since its inception in 2017, more than 140 local authority projects have benefited from the scheme, which has supported applications for nearly 4,000 chargepoints across the UK. This funding boost could double that, adding nearly 4,000 more chargepoints in towns and cities, tackling poor air quality and supporting economic growth.
Local Councils play a role in providing electric vehicle infrastructure and in partnership with Energy Saving Trust and the Department for Transport is welcoming applications from authorities, which are yet to apply for funding, as well as those that have already benefited.
The DfT says Prime Minister, Boris Johnson’s Ten Point Plan to accelerate the transition to electric vehicles, ending the sale of new petrol and diesel cars and vans by 2030, could create 40,000 extra jobs by 2030.
The plan is backed by a total of GBP2.8bn. Of this funding, GBP1.3bn is due to be invested in charging infrastructure during the next four years.
“The confirmation of GBP20m of funding for the ORCS in 2021/22 is great news,” said Energy Saving Trust senior programme manager, Nick Harvey.
“This funding will allow local authorities to install convenient and cost-effective electric vehicle charging infrastructure for those who rely on on-street parking. This helps to support the fair transition to the increased adoption of low carbon transport.
“We’re therefore encouraging local authorities to access this funding as part of their plans to decarbonise transport and improve local air quality.”
