Next area for EV charge points identified in the North East

The team leading the EV revolution across North East England is targeting Teesdale and Scotch Corner as the next locations for an electric vehicle quick charging point.

A gap in the North East charging post network has been identified by One North East’s Charge your Car Team. Businesses or local authorities are being urged to come forward with suggestions for suitable locations around both Scotch Corner and the Barnard Castle area – to provide the southernmost link to the North East network.

The scheme aims to make the North East the home of Europe’s most advanced electric-vehicle charging network.

By installing electric vehicle chargers in strategic locations, it is hoped that they will provide reassurance for drivers that journeys beyond a full battery charge are possible in and around the North East especially important for those traveling into the region from North Yorkshire and the West.

There will also be 50 kW quick charging points for people looking to travel further and needing to recharge in the shortest time possible, providing a charge in around 25 minutes. The Charge your Car project is currently installing 12 into the North East.

100  per cent grants are available for organisations interested in getting involved in the quick charger project. The project will finance the purchase, installation and a four year maintenance contract but partners will be expected to provide a parking space and fund electricity costs in the early stages of the project.

The charging locations should be easily accessible and ideally close to main roads and conurbations where they will be of most use to drivers wishing to recharge their vehicles. Any business or organisation located on or near the major trunk roads and spine roads in the North East are invited to put themselves forward.

Josey Wardle, North East Plugged in Places Manager, said: "Our aim has always been to create a charging network that would allow an electric vehicle owner to move around the region and beyond comfortably with charging points always within a short drive."

For more information
Anyone interested in hosting a charger or accessing the match-funding for charging points should contact the Charge your Car team on chargeyourcar@onenortheast.co.uk or by visiting www.onenortheast.co.uk/page/index.cfm