Drivers across the North East are getting a much-needed boost, with 40 new EV fast-charging bays launching in a major effort to tackle the UK’s regional divide in green transport.
Backed by public and private investment, the rollout spans 18 key sites across Newcastle, North Tyneside, Gateshead and Sunderland – including coastal spots, town centre car parks and country parks – to ensure both locals and visitors can charge up with ease.
Most electric vehicles and chargepoints are still clustered in the South, but that’s starting to change.
North East Mayor Kim McGuinness said: “I have an electric car so I know first-hand how important it is to have reliable charging in the right places. I’ve been told time and time again that communities want more charging points and now I’m making that happen.”
She added: “We’ve chosen some of our fantastic tourist spots to invest in as we don’t want visitors to our region to be caught short either. The North East will have the greenest transport in the country and this is a vital step towards that.”
Delivered by the North East Combined Authority and EV infrastructure firm Zest, the new chargers will deliver up to 150kW speeds and form part of a longer-term plan to green the region’s roads.
Funding comes from the Government’s Levelling Up Fund and the On-Street Residential Chargepoint Scheme, alongside private cash from Zest.
Last year, Zest also partnered with Durham County Council to roll out 250 further charging locations across the county.
This initiative aims to close the gap and give northern drivers the infrastructure they’ve been calling for.
Northern EV drivers get faster charging appeared first on Energy Live News.