The EV charging station that had just three visitors in two hours

Bradford is a city that could have 1,000 new charging points for electric vehicles (EVs) in 230 locations over the next two years.

The aim of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority-funded project is to make electric car ownership more accessible, particularly for those living in high-density terraced housing without private driveways.

A report into the scheme was signed off by council officials this week with a warning that the private sector should not be allowed to dictate where the charging points are in case their preferences "exacerbate inequalities".

Yet when the BBC visited a public charging station, just three drivers arrived in two hours. How will the project work in reality?

The Rooley Lane charging station shares a site with a Greggs drive-thru. It is part of a network of existing facilities that the council wants to expand further to give "everyone" the chance to own an EV.

Drivers pointed out that the cost of a more environmentally-friendly vehicle and a lack of support infrastructure in remote areas were barriers.

Yorkshire Water engineer Scott Hudson arrived with his electric work van. He said: "There are a lot more chargers now, and we have an app that shows all the local ones. But cold weather and the weight in my van affects the battery, as well as the tech I use, like laptops.

"On paper, my van has a full-charge range of 220 miles, but in real-world conditions, I usually get around 130 miles.

"In Bradford, I can usually find a charger every three or four miles, but in more remote areas like Skipton or the Yorkshire Dales, I've had to drive 15 miles to find one. Sometimes you arrive, and someone's just pulled in before you."

He added: "I always look for rapid chargers because I can't afford to sit there for hours.

"To do my job better, we do need more chargers, ideally multiple at each location. Some sites only have one, which isn't enough when demand increases."

Mr Hudson recently had a "close call" when he had to leave a site early to ensure he had enough power to get back to his base.

Christopher White pulled in for a look at the charging station, but said he did not own an EV yet and was hesitant about the cost.

He said: "I've thought about it but kept finding reasons not to. I fear I won't be able to go where I want when I want.

"Charging costs vary, and there's no way to check prices beforehand like with petrol stations. The government pushes Clean Air Zones while investing in EV infrastructure, but instead of taxing emissions, they should focus on more charging points. The fear of not finding one is stopping people from switching."

Work on installing Bradford's new charging points in expected to start in March, although the exact locations have not been made public.

The council report stated that the stations would be pay-as-you-go with contactless payment options.

Sarah Ferriby, the council's executive member for healthy people and places, said expanding the city's EV infrastructure was "vital for improving air quality and public health across the district".

She added: "These projects will meet future demand at no additional cost to the council."

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