Cash boost to install electric car charging points

More than 20 areas in Kirklees could see electric vehicle (EV) charging points installed from this summer, thanks to a multi million-pound cash boost.

Under the Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (LEVI) Fund, the region will receive £2.5m from the West Yorkshire Combined Authority to install public charging points by 2027.

Further investment will come from private providers, taking the total earmarked for Kirklees to about £3.8m.

Kirklees Council's cabinet will be asked to accept the funds next week, as it works towards a target of becoming net zero/climate ready by 2038.

The project would be delivered in two phases, with the aim of installing points at the first 23 locations from the summer, using £282,000 of the grant.

Chargers must be installed in three priority locations before the other 20 can be put in, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

These are Spring Wood Street in Huddersfield, New Street Car Park in Honley and Shaw Cross Community Centre in Dewsbury.

EV points would then be installed in Batley, Birstall, Dewsbury, Holmfirth, Huddersfield, Cleckheaton, Heckmondwike, Netherton, Denby Dale, Cowersley, Skelmanthorpe, Emley, Liversedge and Moldgreen.

After this, another phase covering on-street charging points, in areas of terraced houses where parking is tight, would be installed - with their locations to be confirmed and put in by 2026/7.

The council said some parking income from pay-and-display car parks would be lost when the points were installed.

But other income would come from the bays being leased for 15 years, giving the council £130 per standard charging bay, £160 per fast charging bay and £1,200 per rapid charging bay each year - an approximate annual income of £27,700 and £415,500 over 15 years.

At the end of the lease period, the council can either negotiate a further lease, or ask the EV charging providers to remove equipment and "make good" on the sites, a report said.

The council said although it did not intend to charge for the use of parking bayS while charging, the authority or EV leaseholders may eventually decide to introduce a payment or require a permit for the bays in future.

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