THE BRADFORD district’s electric vehicle charging network is expanding to more residential areas, thanks to a successful bid for government funding.

Bradford Council has received over £300,000 from the On-Street Residential Charge Point Scheme - part of the Government’s Office for Zero Emission Vehicles (OZEV) - supported by the Energy Saving Trust.

This will enable 38 new fast charging points to be installed across 14 locations, allowing 75 electric vehicles to plug in.

The grant will cover 75 per cent of the funding, with the Council investing the other 25 per cent from Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) funding.

Most of these new charge points will be in residential areas where there is no off-street parking, such as areas with terraced houses, cottages and flats, where there are no driveways to install private charge points.

The locations are on council-owned land used for parking – either car parks or lay-bys – which are accessible 24 hours a day.

The council is working with EB Charging Ltd to deliver this scheme and other additional charge points for the district.

The first charge point with EB Charging Ltd is due to be turned on this week at the newly refurbished car park at Oakworth Crematorium.

To access the charge point, download the EB Go! app.

Cllr Sarah Ferriby, Portfolio Holder for Healthy People and Places, said: “This is a very welcome investment in our district’s electric vehicle charging infrastructure.

“It will give more people access to charge points within walking distance of their homes – something which until now has been a challenge, with over half of housing in the district being flats and terraced properties.

“Hopefully, this will encourage more people to consider switching to electric vehicles.

“West Yorkshire is already leading the way, with the UK’s biggest rapid charging network outside of London.”

EB Charging CEO Alex Calnan said: "We have been thoroughly impressed with this ambitious infrastructure programme.

“Providing additional on-street charging options will encourage more drivers to make the switch to electric, and make a real contribution to a low carbon future and clean, healthy air for all."

Bradford Council has already made a significant investment in EV charge points. As a result of West Yorkshire Combined Authority securing funding from OZEV in 2018 and working with EQUANS, 22 charge points were installed across the district.

The council has itself also installed four other charge points.

For further information on electric vehicles and charge points, visit Electric vehicle charging points | Bradford Council