20 more electric vehicle charge points for Blaenau Gwent 

Funding confirmed from the Welsh Government, Cardiff Capital Region and the UK government’s on-street residential charge point scheme (ORCS) for phase 2 installation of 22kW charge points. 

Battery-powered electric vehicles (EVs) produce zero exhaust emissions, while hybrid vehicles produce significantly lower levels of emissions than diesel or petrol vehicles. This has a major impact on air quality. For example, Glasgow introduced the first phase of its low emission zone (LEZ) in 2018. At that time, there were 1,148 hours in which levels of nitrogen oxide exceeded 100 micrograms per m3. As we reported earlier this year, by 2022, that figure had been cut to just 68 hours. 

Photo by Michael Fousert

Councils around the country are looking to make similar reductions in emissions and improvements in air quality. The website of Blaenau Gwent Country Borough Council admits that to begin with the region, ‘experienced slow growth to ultra-low emission vehicles,’ but things are changing and, ‘we are seeing a steady increase in ultra-low emission vehicles licensed across Blaenau Gwent.’ 

Phase 1 installation has already been completed, with 14 22kW bays and 14 7kW bays installed and ready for use at 11 sites in the borough. Now, funding has been secured for a further 20 bays, all 22kW, at nine sites. 

Cllr Helen Cunninghan, Deputy Leader/Cabinet Member for Place & Environment, says: ‘This further funding to install more electrical vehicle charge points in Blaenau Gwent is very welcome. Electric vehicles are part of the solution to help cut emissions and improve air quality. The additional charge points will help create a greener Blaenau Gwent and provide more accessible charging facilities.’ 

Phase 1 charge points ready for use: 

• Bryn Bach Park 1x 22kW (2 bays) 
• Cwm Terrace car park, Cwm 1x 22kW (2 bays) 
• Ebbw Vale Parkway Railway Park and Ride 2x 7kW (4 bays) 
• General Offices, Ebbw Vale (in car park opposite) – 1x 22kW (2 bays) 
• General Offices, Ebbw Vale (car park by railway station) – 2 x 7kW (4 bays) 
• Gwent Shopping Centre – 1x 22kW (2 bays) 
• Llanhilleth Railway Station Park and Ride – 2x 7kW (4 bays) 
• Market Square car park, Brynmawr – 1x 22kW (2 bays) 
• Tillery Road car park, Cwmtillery – 1x 22kW (2 bays) 
• ViTTC – 1x 22kW (2 bays) 
• William Street car park, Cwm – 1x 7kW (2 bays) 

Phase 2 charge points awaiting connection, metering and commissioning: 

• Abertillery multistorey car park –2 x 22kW (4 bays)  
• Arail Street car park, Six Bells – 1 x 22kW (2 bays)  
• Briery Hill car park, Ebbw Vale – 1x 22kW (2 bays) 
• Canning Street, Cwm – 1 x 22kW (2 bays) 
• Health Centre car park, Abertillery – 1x 22kW (2 bays) 
• Lower Salisbury Street car park, Tredegar – 1x 22kW (2 bays) 
• Mitre Street car park, Abertillery – 1 x 22kW (2 bays) 
• Queen Square car park, Ebbw Vale – 1 x 22kW (2 bays) 
• Somerset Street/Worcester Street car park, Brynmawr – 1 x 22kW (2 bays) 

Plans for to provide even more charge points throughout Blaenau Gwent in phase 3 currently in progress.  

In related news: 

New rapid EV charging in Birmingham is legacy of 2022 Commonwealth Games

London’s £500m fund for net zero

Electric van experience completed in Nottingham and Derby