Plans to increase borough’s electric vehicle charging points
Telford & Wrekin Council has invited a number of major venues across the borough such as supermarkets, Telford International Centre, Telford Town Centre to be part of a co-ordinated network of electric cars charging points.
If they are willing to partner with the Council, a network of charging points throughout Telford and Wrekin could be provided in the coming years.
The installation of electric vehicle charging points will enable residents and visitors to use electric cars by ensuring a reliable, safe and convenient public charging network across the borough.
It aims to encourage more electric vehicles on to the borough’s roads and enable electric car owners to charge in various locations.
This is part of a borough-wide strategy for ultra-low emission vehicles adopted by the Council at the end of last year.
It is also another step to the Council making its operations carbon neutral by 2030 following its declaration of a Climate Change Emergency earlier this year.
The strategy recognises the significant benefits of electric cars (for air quality and public health) and includes plans for expansion of green infrastructure, reduction in vehicle emissions and helping increase the uptake of zero emission cars, vans and trucks.
It is expected that nearly all cars and vans will be zero emissions by 2050.
There are currently 11 electric vehicle charging points in different locations in Telford and Wrekin, 6 of which are restricted to customers/visitors only and the other 5 are public.
Councillor David Wright, Telford & Wrekin Council’s cabinet member for Housing, Transport and Infrastructure said: “With ownership of electric cars expected to rise in the next few years, it’s vital that we increase charging points.
“We’ve invited a number of supermarkets and key outlets to partner with us for the development of a charging points network and we hope many will confirm their involvement, so that our residents and visitors can make use of these across the borough.”
Councillor Hilda Rhodes, cabinet member for Parks, Green Spaces & The Natural Environment added: “All of this contributes to our Sustainable Telford and Wrekin initiative and will help us to achieve our commitment to reduce the borough’s carbon footprint and help tackle climate change.”
