Rapid EV chargers for three North Yorkshire market towns
Zest funds two rapid EV chargers each in car parks at Helmsley, Malton and Pickering.
The six charging points can each charge an electric vehicle (EV) to some 80% capacity in under an hour, providing a convenient service while drivers visit the town. Charging facilities will also be provided in Ropery as part of the next stage of the project.
New EV charging facilities at Pickering car park, photo courtesy of North Yorkshire Council
The project is part of North Yorkshire Council’s county-wide strategy to make EV charging available to everyone, with an enhanced network of charging points supporting the uptake of EVs over the next 10 years as part of wider efforts to tackle climate change. Demand for such charging points is expected to soar over that period ahead of the ban on petrol and diesel engines in new vehicles from 2030.
The council reports latest figures of almost 4,000 EVs registered in the region and 225 public charger points. But take-up is rising rapidly and it’s forecast that 3,161 charge points will be needed by 2030.
A bid for funding from the £400m national Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (LEVI) pilot scheme saw £3.2m secured for North Yorkshire to pay for 150 charge points. Of these, 70 will be linked to renewable energy systems designed to offset some or all of the energy requirement.
As part of a commitment to support the local economy, Zest appointed Yorkshire contractors Jones Electric to carry out the installation of these newest chargers.
Cllr Keane Duncan, Executive Member for Highways and Transport, says: ‘We’re delighted to partner with Zest and for them to deliver these rapid chargers in Helmsley, Malton, and Pickering on our behalf.
‘As the electric vehicle market continues to rise, the demand for charging points will also grow and it’s important that we are prepared for that.
‘By making more available across the county, we are making it easier for people to charge their electric vehicles and also ensure we remain a destination of choice for visitors with these vehicles.’
Cllr Greg White, Executive Member for Climate Change, adds: ‘Like all local authorities, we recognise the impact of climate change and remain committed to playing our part to help tackle this global issue.
‘We know we can’t do this alone, and by working together with partners such as Zest to provide a comprehensive network of electric vehicle charging, we are a step closer to achieving our targets for reducing carbon emissions and protecting our environment.
Robin Heap, Chief Executive at Zest, says: ‘These high-quality chargers inject vitality to rural towns, making it easier to switch to electric vehicles, attract new visitors and encourage businesses to invest. North Yorkshire Council is backing its ambitious strategy with bold action, and we are proud they chose to work with Zest.’
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