£15 million investment to increase the number of electric vehicle charging points in Wales
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 Lee Waters, 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.
“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,” Lee Waters said.
“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.”
ULEV Fund
Today’s announcement complements the Ultra Low Emissions Vehicle (ULEV) fund which has already kick-started many EV projects as the Welsh Government strives to reach the 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.”
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A complete waste of time and money. Electric vehicles are doomed for failure. Think about it! People think by buying these cars they are helping the environment when in fact there is a dirty great big power station somewhere generating dirty energy to charge the batteries. Over 70% of energy is still produced using gas, oil or coal. I believe that only 29% is produced by wind and nuclear.
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Not a complete waste of time but the use of EV’s can only be sustained if there is a network of “refuelling” stations up and down the country. Indeed it would be nice long term if there was an element of competition in the supply of juice to EV’s. The current situation is far removed from that ideal. The broader question of the “cleanliness” of EV’s has not been addressed simply because governments and Big Auto corporations have elected to commit to certain technologies and that has a certain momentum of its own. There are already questions being asked about… Read more »
Small minded people across Wales opposing green energy and pylons, no surprise they think that EVs are a waste of time too.
why is the government doing this when over the years small petrol stations in rural locations have closed leaving residents having to travel miles to refuel their cars, the government didn’t step in then to help them, I know it’s all about helping the environment but if the private sector doesn’t want to set up charging stations because it’s not financially viable then that should help to create a suitable public transport system