Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire to Receive £900,000 to Install Electric Vehicle Charging Trenches

Strategic Insights -

As part of a government grant, the East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA) is set to receive £945,000 to install hundreds of trenches in pavements for residents without driveways to charge their electric vehicles. The funding will be divided among the four county and city councils, who will oversee its use. This initiative follows a successful pilot in Nottinghamshire County Council in 2022, which led to 100 trenches being installed, with 580 expressions of interest in the past three years.

Key Takeaways:

  • The EMCCA will receive a £945,000 government grant to install electric vehicle charging trenches across Derby, Nottingham, Derbyshire, and Nottinghamshire.
  • The estimated cost of installing one trench is £1,200, which would allow for over 700 installations across the two counties and cities.
  • The previous pilot in Nottinghamshire County Council in 2022 resulted in 100 installations, with 580 expressions of interest in the past three years.
  • Only 17% of expressions of interest in the Nottinghamshire pilot have translated into actual installations.
  • The EMCCA welcomes the opportunity to explore future funding allocations with the Office for Zero Emission Vehicles if demand exceeds current projections.
  • The four councils have been encouraged to introduce a new £100 planning application fee for homeowners applying for pavement trenches, waiving fees for people such as Motability customers.

Statistics:

  • The estimated cost of installing one trench: £1,200
  • Number of installations in the previous pilot in Nottinghamshire County Council: 100
  • Number of expressions of interest in the past three years: 580
  • Percentage of expressions of interest translating into actual installations: 17%
  • Number of "charging deserts" and "cold spots" identified across the two counties and cities: numerous (exact number not specified)

Sources:

  • Local democracy reporter EDDIE BISKNELL, Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire
  • East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA) report