Member Article

Cumbria plugs into electric car revolution

Electric car charging points are to be installed across Cumbria, the Deputy Prime Minister, Nick Clegg, has revealed.

Cumbria County Council has secured grant funding of £562,500 to create a county-wide electric vehicle infrastructure, as part of the government’s Go Ultra Low campaign.

The awarding of this grant, which will get an additional 25 per cent of private sector funding to take the total project value to more than £750,000, will see charging points installed in Carlisle, Penrith, Kendal, Barrow, Workington, Whitehaven, Keswick, Millom and Cockermouth.

Charging points would be available for use by the people of Cumbria, visitors and businesses and will enable the county council to invest in an electric car and van fleet for the first time.

The county council submitted the bid with the support of Britain’s Energy Coast, Solway Renewables and the district councils and cross-party letters of support from all six of Cumbria’s MPs.

Councillor Keith Little, Cumbria County Council’s cabinet member for highways, said: “Our successful funding bid is great news and will have a positive impact on road travel both in Cumbria and nationally.

“Currently north Lancashire and Cumbria is pretty much a no-go area for travel by electric vehicle, as there is a very limited charging structure anywhere north of Preston, so this project could open up more of the UK to travel by electric vehicle and encourage more local people and businesses to consider electric vehicles.

“The north east already has a more developed electric vehicle infrastructure so we’re working alongside Northumberland Council to develop a carefully planned network providing improved electric vehicle travel between the north east and north west.”

Cumbria County Councillor Barry Doughty, cabinet member for the council’s fleet, said: “The awarding of this funding will enable us to make a substantial investment in electric vehicles for our own council fleet.

“We’re planning on buying 15 electric vehicles this year that will contribute to cutting the council’s carbon footprint and putting in place greener transport solutions.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Simon Malia .