Reading secures funding for network of electric vehicle charging points

Thousands of on-street electric vehicle charging points will be installed across Reading after the Council secured £866,000 funding.

The money will also pay for up to 150 pavement gullies to allow cables to safely cross footpaths to enable on-street vehicle charging from homes.

The programme aims to remove a significant barrier to people choosing electric vehicles (EV) over petrol cars.

Reading’s allocation from the Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (LEVI) fund was announced by the Department for Transport today (18 March).

A large number of Reading residents do not have off-street parking which makes charging electric vehicles more difficult and potentially more expensive if using commercial fast charging points.

The LEVI funding will support the installation of up to 2,700 on-street charging points, either integrated into street lighting columns or as stand-alone street units.

The funding will also cover the costs of 100-150 pavement gullies for residents who have a charging point installed at home but have no off-street parking.

Increasing public EV charging provision is one of the key objectives of the Council’s Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure Strategy which was approved by councillors last week. It also ties in with Reading’s Air Quality Action Plan and overarching Local Transport Plan.

Cllr John Ennis, Lead Councillor for Climate Strategy and Transport, said:

“A large proportion of Reading residents do not have off-street parking which means they are unable to charge electric vehicles at home and have limited alternative charging options available nearby.

“The £866,000 funding will enable us to deliver up to 2,700 on-street charging points and up to 150 pavement gullies to allow cables to safely cross footways and allow on-street charging from people’s homes.

“The creation of more public charging infrastructure will help remove a barrier to the take up of electric vehicles in Reading and encourage more residents to consider making the switch to an EV.

“In addition to a range of Council investments in quicker and more reliable public transport as an alternative to the private car, plus better pedestrian and cycling facilities, fewer petrol and diesel vehicles on the road will reduce carbon emissions, improve air quality, which means a healthier town, and help achieve the Council’s ambition for Reading to be net zero carbon by 2030.”