North East Mayor Kim McGuinness has launched a new £1.2 million grant fund aimed at helping more than a thousand households across the North East England reduce the cost of charging electric vehicles.
The funding will be made available through local councils across the region and is designed to support residents without driveways, garages or off-street parking, giving them access to lower-cost home charging rates instead of relying on more expensive public charging points.
The £1.2m has been secured from the Government’s electric vehicle (EV) pavement channels grant and will make the option of transitioning to an EV a more cost-efficient option for thousands of people who currently park on the street.
North East Mayor Kim McGuinness said:
“I am determined the North East leads the way in the transition to electric vehicles, and this funding will make EV ownership more accessible for more than a thousand families who don’t have a driveway.
“Where you live should not make a difference to whether you can choose an electric vehicle. This fund means families can charge at home, at cheaper residential rates, just like those with off‑street parking already do – putting money back in people’s pockets and making electric vehicles a realistic option for far more people.
The roll out supports the region’s ambition to lead the way in the transition to cleaner, greener transport, and builds on the already UK leading pace at which new EV charge points are being rolled out across the region.
Aviation, Maritime and Decarbonisation Minister, Keir Mather said:
“We’re investing £1.2m in the North East to make charging cheaper and more accessible, giving drivers the confidence to go electric. This support is targeted at residents without private driveways so they can tap into domestic electricity rates and charge up for as little as 2p per mile.”
“We’re also tackling upfront costs through our Electric Car Grant, helping over 100,000 drivers save up to £3,750 on a new EV, putting money back in people’s pockets when they go electric.”
Installation involves placing a covered, shallow charging gully beneath the pavement, allowing a cable to run safely from a home charge point to the vehicle parked at the kerbside. This removes trailing cables and trip hazards, while offering a simple, discreet charging option.
Residents will be able to participate in the pilot and apply through their local council, with application dates, guidance and eligibility criteria varying by area.
For more information on the Government’s electric vehicle (EV) pavement channels grant and how it could benefit you, visit https://www.gov.uk/guidance/apply-for-the-electric-vehicle-ev-pavement-channels-grant
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