Cash boost to install electric car charging points

Kirklees Council is preparing to kick off the installation of electric vehicle charging points this summer, which is an exciting development for electric car owners in the area. Thanks to a significant financial boost of £2. 5 million from the West Yorkshire Combined Authority, over 20 locations in Kirklees are set to receive these charging points by the year 2027. This funding comes from a program known as the Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (LEVI) Fund. When combined with additional investments from private companies, the total funding earmarked for Kirklees will reach approximately £3. 8 million. The council's cabinet will be asked to approve this funding next week as part of their efforts to achieve net-zero emissions and be climate-ready by 2038. The project will be rolled out in two phases, with the first phase aiming to install charging points at 23 designated locations starting this summer, utilizing £282,000 from the grant. There are three priority locations where chargers must be installed first before the remaining 20 can be added. These priority sites include Spring Wood Street in Huddersfield, New Street Car Park in Honley, and Shaw Cross Community Centre in Dewsbury. Following the installation at these locations, charging points will also be added in towns such as Batley, Birstall, Dewsbury, Holmfirth, Huddersfield, Cleckheaton, Heckmondwike, Netherton, Denby Dale, Cowersley, Skelmanthorpe, Emley, Liversedge, and Moldgreen. The council has expressed hope that charging points will be established in areas with limited parking, particularly outside terraced houses, by the years 2026 or 2027. After the initial phase, a second phase will focus on adding on-street charging points in areas where parking is tight, with specific locations to be confirmed and completed by 2026 or 2027. The council has acknowledged that some revenue from pay-and-display car parks may be lost when these charging points are installed. However, they anticipate generating income from leasing the charging bays for a period of 15 years. The council will receive £130 per standard charging bay, £160 per fast charging bay, and £1,200 per rapid charging bay each year, which could result in an estimated annual income of £27,700 and a total of £415,500 over the 15-year period. At the end of the lease, the council will have the option to negotiate a new lease or request that the electric vehicle charging providers remove their equipment and restore the sites. Although the council does not plan to charge for the use of parking bays while vehicles are charging, they may consider introducing a fee or requiring a permit for the bays in the future.