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Thirteen local authorities across the Midlands are set to receive a combined £40.8 million in government funding to supercharge the region’s electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure. The initiative, part of the £381 million Local EV Infrastructure (LEVI) Fund, will support installing 16,000 new charge points, addressing a critical need for drivers without off-street parking.
The Department for Transport (DfT) emphasized the significance of this funding, particularly for those unable to charge at home. Currently, 40% of UK drivers lack access to a driveway, and for commercial vehicle operators, that figure soars to 70%, according to the Association of Fleet Professionals (AFP). Expanding public EV charging is essential to accelerating adoption rates, particularly among businesses relying on fleet electrification.
Significant Investments Across the Midlands
Backed by Midlands Connect, the funding will be distributed across several key regions:
Lincolnshire County Council – £5.6 million
Derbyshire County Council – £6.6 million
Nottinghamshire County Council – £5.5 million
Staffordshire County Council – £4.5 million
With these allocations, local authorities will begin the tendering process and installation roll-out, ensuring the rapid deployment of new EV charge points. The DfT confirmed that the entirety of the £381 million LEVI Fund has now been assigned to projects nationwide.
Future of Roads Minister Lilian Greenwood said: “Making charging as seamless and as easy as possible is crucial to making the switch to electric a success, and rolling out over 16,000 chargers across the midlands will make driving an EV cheaper and easier, especially for those without a driveway.”
Launched in 2022, the three-year LEVI programme has played a crucial role in strengthening the UK’s EV infrastructure. By October 2024, £242 million in funding—plus an additional £40 million earmarked for development support—will have been distributed to local councils.
London boroughs have already secured £35.7 million, while 44 councils across the country were granted £185 million in March 2023. This wave of investment, supported by private-sector partnerships, aims to deliver at least 100,000 public charge points across England.
The UK’s public EV charging network continues to expand rapidly. Zapmap reported that the country now boasts over 75,000 public charge points, a milestone in the transition toward widespread EV adoption.
Maria Machancoses, CEO of Midlands Connect, said: “We are delighted that our collaboration with local authorities has resulted in a significant funding boost for electric vehicle infrastructure across the region.
“We will continue to work with local authorities to accelerate the roll-out of electric vehicle infrastructure across the Midlands.”
However, challenges remain. Research by Vauxhall found that 90% of van fleets rely on residential charging to switch to electric, while 23% cite inadequate infrastructure as a primary obstacle.
With the latest round of funding, the government aims to eliminate these roadblocks, ensuring that the UK’s EV revolution is feasible and accessible to all drivers—whether private motorists or commercial fleets.
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