Councils across Gwent have been awarded £459,000 of government funding to install electric vehicle charging points in car parks across the region.
Caerphilly County Borough Council, alongside Blaenau Gwent, Newport, Torfaen and Monmouthshire councils, has been successful with a joint-bid for funding from the UK Government’s Office for Low Emission Vehicles.
The money will be used to install electric vehicle charging infrastructure across 33 local authority car parks in residential areas in Gwent – installing up to 73 fast charge points.
The joint bid was put together by the Gwent authorities, aided by the Energy Saving Trust and submitted by Blaenau Gwent council.
Cllr Sean Morgan, deputy leader and cabinet member with responsibility for sustainability, said: “For residents without off road parking or a garage, accessing a charging point is a real barrier when considering switching to an electric vehicle. This funding will allow us and neighbouring councils to provide residents with access to charging points, supporting them to switch.
“This is just one of the projects being delivered in the Caerphilly county borough as part of the council’s commitments to reduce carbon emissions and protect the environment.”
The electric vehicle charge points will be installed in car parks near residential areas to support residents without off street parking switching to electric vehicles.
The aim is to address barriers to residential electric vehicle take-up caused by having no dedicated off street parking.
The project was also supported financially by the Welsh Government and Natural Resources Wales (NRW) which funded a feasibility study.
Steve Morgan, head of operations South East Wales for NRW, said: “This project clearly shows the benefits that can come from public sector organisations working together towards a common goal.
“We are committed to working closely with our partners in this area to develop and deliver a more sustainable future for the people, places and future generations in Gwent and in Wales.”
The whole project, costing around £636,000, needs to be completed by March 30, 2020, and funding can only be claimed once the charge-points are in the ground, according to a Torfaen council report.
Each council will contribute funding depending on how many electric vehicle charging point sites are proposed.
Further details of the locations will be announced at a later date.