The Welsh Government has announced increased funding to increase electric vehicle charging infrastructure across the country.
With petrol and diesel vehicles being phased out in 2030, the Deputy Climate Change Minister has announced the funding to support local authorities as they look to increase EV charging provision. The £15 million that has been announced by the Welsh Government will build upon £26 million that has already been invested in Wales’ charging infrastructure since 2021, that particular funding saw more than 1,600 charging points around the country which would be enough for one charger for every six EVs.
Lee Waters, Deputy Minister for Climate Change with a responsibility for Climate Change, 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 quality 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 I 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.”
The Ultra Low Emissions Vehicle (ULEV) fund compliments the recently announced funding boost, with the ULEV fund helping to accelerate many EV projects in Wales, with the government looking to hit a target of providing charging points for every 20 miles of the ‘strategic trunk network’ across Wales by 2025.
An example of funding being used to help boost EV infrastructure can be seen in Cardiff, where the council has been allocated £900,000 to roll out increased EV charging in the region over the course of the next two years. This will go alongside providing rapid charging at Lamby Way depot to support twelve electric Refuse Collection Vehicles that are part of Cardiff Council’s fleet of 78.
Wrexham Council has also received £1.86 million over two years to help with the establishment of EV charging infrastructure at a hub in the city centre, as well as sites that are in rural, harder to reach sites in the county.
Deputy Leader and Climate Champion at Wrexham Council, Cllr David A Bithell, added:
“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.”
