Cheshire East Council has secured over £2.3 million in funding to install electric vehicle (EV) chargepoints at around 175 sites across the borough, with installation at 15 locations starting this summer.

The funding, awarded through the On-Street Residential Chargepoint Scheme (ORCS) and the Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Fund (LEVI), will help expand access to EV charging, particularly for residents without off-street parking.

The plans also support the Cheshire East's Electric Vehicle Charging Strategy and the UK's Zero Emission Mandate.

ORCS-funded EV chargepoints will be installed at 15 locations, this summer, at council car parks and selected on-street locations across Crewe, Nantwich, Alsager, Congleton, Knutsford, Macclesfield, Middlewich, Sandbach, and Wilmslow.

Chair of Cheshire East Council's highways and transport committee, Cllr Mark Goldsmith, said: "With EV ownership in Cheshire East expected to rise from 8,000 to nearly 100,000 by 2030, this funding is vital.

"It helps us close gaps in the current network and support the growing number of EV drivers.

"The council plans to expand the network further, with at least 160 more locations to be rolled out in the future." 

Further sites are planned in the coming years through LEVI funding, with the council aiming to appoint an operator to deliver additional on-street chargers.

Future of Roads Minister, Lilian Greenwood (GOV.UK).

Future of Roads Minister, Lilian Greenwood, said: "Making EV charging easier and more seamless with our everyday lives is vital to achieve our net-zero goals.

"It is brilliant therefore to see Cheshire East Council confirm they will be installing chargepoints later this year thanks to our funding boost alongside private investment."