The funding has been awarded from the Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (LEVI) Capital Fund, which will support the delivery of thousands of charge points across England.
KCC will use the funding to continue the roll out of local charging infrastructure by providing thousands of on-street EV charging bays over the next ten years.
These public charge points will help residents without access to off-street parking make the switch to EVs over the coming years. This is a welcome boost for Kent residents, particularly as the Government has indicated it plans to bring forward the ban on sales of new petrol and diesel cars to 2030.
This funding will be essential in making sure that no area in Kent is left behind by the revolution in electric motoring.
Funded by UK Government
The delivery of Kent’s LEVI programme is set to begin in 2025. It will develop on the county’s existing charge point network, in which KCC has worked closely with District, Borough and Parish Council partners to produce a network of over 250 public charge points in car parks across the county.
“As we continue to see the number of EVs registered in the county increase, so does the need for accessible and reliable public charging infrastructure.”
Neil Baker, Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport, said: “It is excellent news for Kent that we have been awarded this significant grant.
‘As we continue to see the number of EVs registered in the county increase, so does the need for accessible and reliable public charging infrastructure, particularly for our residents who do not have the option to charge at home.
‘The funding will allow us to continue to bolster Kent’s public charging network, providing the infrastructure needed for all communities and allow residents to make a real choice when they buy their next vehicle.”
“This is brilliant news that will help realise our goal of becoming a Net Zero county by 2050.”
Rob Thomas, Cabinet Member for Environment, said: “This is brilliant news that will help realise our goal of becoming a Net Zero county by 2050.
‘We need to make it easier for people to pick more sustainable ways of getting around. By making EV charging points more accessible and efficient, more people will choose to drive electric and will contribute positively to our air quality and environment.”
Future of Roads Minister Lilian Greenwood said: “For drivers and those thinking of buying a new car in Kent, it’s crucial to know that they can easily get to a chargepoint, and that’s why we’re providing Kent County Council with £12 million to roll out thousands of chargers in the local area.”
“With more than 71,000 chargepoints already in place across the country, we’re powering the transition to electric vehicles at lightning pace, which is supporting local jobs, taking us closer to Net Zero, and delivering growth."
Over the coming months, KCC will appoint a charge point operator partner to install and operate the network of charge points. Residents can share their views on where they think charge points should be located by registering their interest at: www.kent.gov.uk/onstreetev
