DRIVERS in North Yorkshire will have better access to electric vehicle chargepoints, after being awarded £2.2 million through a new pilot backed by £20 million of government and industry funding announced today (August 24).

Through the innovative Local EV Infrastructure (LEVI) pilot scheme, North Yorkshire Council and industry will work together to create new, commercial EV charging infrastructure for residents, from on-street chargepoints to larger petrol station-style charging hubs.

The rollout supports the Government’s drive to encourage more motorists to go electric.

The scheme will help residents without private driveways to have better access to EV chargers, as well as growing the charging network across the country, supporting the nation’s uptake of zero-emission vehicles and enabling more people to drive and charge without fear of being caught short, no matter where they are.

The pilot is backed by £10 million of government funding and will see North Yorkshire Council awarded £2 million in the first tranche of the planned £450 million scheme, supported by £200,000 of funding from industry.

Decarbonisation Minister Trudy Harrison said: “We want to expand and grow our world-leading network of EV chargepoints, working closely with industry and local government, making it even easier for those without driveways to charge their electric vehicles and support the switch to cleaner travel.”