Cumbria County Council has rolled-out a number of electric vehicle charge points across the region, dramatically increasing charging options for residents and visitors.
Nine sites have been commissioned for public use, with all nine featuring rapid charging options, with four locations offering fast chargers too.
The new points are part of the ChargePoint Genie network and are located in Carlisle, Kendal, Workington, Whitehaven, Keswick, Ulverston, Kirkby Stephen, Kirkby Lonsdale, and Ambleside.
The council secured funding of £438,000 to make the commissioning of the points possible, creating a county-wide EV charging infrastructure. The UK Government’s Office for Low Emission Vehicles (OLEV) provided 75 per cent of the funding, with 25 per cent provided by a private investor.
The charge points – Evolt units – were supplied and installed by APT Controls Group, with the borough councils within Cumbria County Council providing the locations in council run car parks.
Councillor Janet Willis, Cumbria County Council Cabinet member responsible for Environment, said: “I’m absolutely delighted that charging points for electric vehicles are up and running in the county, providing a low carbon transport solution.
“I’d like to thank our district council partners who played a key role in providing locations within their car parks for the chargers, ensuring they’re easily accessible to the public. This has been a complex project and it’s taken a while to get everything in place but it’s been well worth the wait.
“Up until now there have been limited charging facilities in Cumbria. I’m sure this project will help open up the county to more electric vehicle drivers and make a real difference, both in Cumbria and nationally.”
Justin Meyer, General Manager of Evolt, says: “The new network will drive forward EV activity in the region, with the infrastructure actively supporting the ambitions of an ever-increasing industry.”
The charging points can be found on Zap-Map, with ChargePoint Genie network membership costing £20 for registration and an RFID access card. Electricity is charged at 30p per KWH, with no connection charge. Points can also be used via the ChargePoint Genie app on a pay-as-you-go basis.
Above: John Osorio of Evolt and Cllr Janet Willis, Cumbria County Council Cabinet member for Environment, at the charging site in Kendal.
