Wiltshire Council aiming to reduce carbon emissions by approving electric vehicle plan
They held a cabinet meeting this morning (Tuesday 12th October)
Last updated 12th Oct 2021
Wiltshire Council have approved a three year Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure Plan at a cabinet meeting today.
The council currently has 76 EV charging points (38 charging units, two points on each) in its car parks, which are operated and managed by BP Pulse.
However, they want to modernise and improve the current points to ensure there is a more reliable and widespread charging network in Wiltshire.
They'll be replacing the ones not working and those in high use areas.
It's hoped this will play a big part in the council's pledge to become completely carbon neutral by 2030.
Grants will also be offered to support parish, town and city councils to provide more charging points in council-operated car parks.
Cllr Dr Mark McClelland, Cabinet Member for Transport, said:
“This new strategy will greatly improve the EV charging infrastructure throughout Wiltshire.
“It will also enable local town, parish and city councils to identify suitable locations for chargers in their communities, which will allow them to apply for grant funding to install chargers where they are most needed.
“This infrastructure plan will play a significant role in reducing Wiltshire’s carbon emissions and in encouraging more people to make the move to electric vehicles, and we look forward to the chargers being installed in the near future.”
The plan states:
"The Council currently provides electric to users without charge, with an estimated spend of circa £25,000 per annum. Introducing a charge will allow the reinvestment of the income generated. This will provide two new charging destination locations and the funding of a grant scheme (£70,000 total,
subject to increase if KwH usage increases above projections) to support city, town and parish councils to provide charge points on Wiltshire Council responsible land".
The local authority are aiming to have at least one council sponsored charging unit in every urban community area with a population over 10,000.
They say they will also "lead by example" by switching the Wiltshire Council fleet of operational vehicles and pool cars to electric vehicles, and by supporting employees to switch to electric vehicles for business travel.
You can read the full plan on the Wiltshire Council website.