Chesire East Council has received a taxpayer-funded cash injection after securing £2.3m from Westminster to install EV chargepoints at 175 sites across the district.
The money comes from pots of cash known as LEVI and ORCS: the Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure programme, and On-Street Residential Chargepoint Scheme.
Cheshire East intends to begin installing chargers at 15 locations this summer. Points will be added by the roadside and at council-run car parks in Crewe, Knutsford, Macclesfield and other locations.
Councillor Mark Goldsmith called the funding “vital”, adding that “it helps us close gaps in the current network and support the growing number of EV drivers”.
Lilian Greenwood from the Department for Transport said it was “brilliant” to see the council confirm it would be installing new chargers “thanks to our funding boost alongside private investment”.
The Conservatives launched the LEVI with £450m in 2022, while ORCS was set up in 2016 under Theresa May’s government – though the current administration has provided additional funding for EVs, including a £650m pot that will bring discounts to retail buyers of up to £3,750 per car.
