Government and local authority funding has led to 62 new dual 22kw fast electric vehicle charging points being installed at 34 sites across Gwent.
A grant of £465k was provided for the project from the UK Government’s Office for Low Emission Vehicles (OLEV), with match funding provided by each of the area’s five local authorities.
The project has been delivered in partnership between the five Gwent local authorities of Blaenau Gwent, Caerphilly, Monmouthshire, Newport and Torfaen councils.
The installation of the charging points was undertaken by a Welsh green energy company, who will also manage and maintain the points until 2025.
The Welsh Government and Natural Resources Wales both contributed funding towards a feasibility study to support development of the project.
Commenting, Monmouthshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Infrastructure and Neighbourhood Services, Councillor Jane Pratt said: “Tackling carbon emissions and climate change is one of Monmouthshire County Council’s key priorities.
“I’m delighted we’ve been able to introduce these new fast charging points across the county, to provide more opportunities for owners of electric vehicles to recharge and to go a small way to tackling the pollution produced by fuel engine vehicles.
“Whilst we remind residents that only essential journeys should be undertaken during the current lockdown measures, we hope the new charge points will make travel much more accessible for owners of electric vehicles in the future.”
Newport City Council’s Cabinet Member for Sustainable Development, Councillor Deb Davies added: “Newport City Council is committed to making our city greener, not only through our work to become a carbon neutral organisation by 2030, but also by undertaking green infrastructure initiatives such as this.
“We’re delighted that this work has trebled the number of charging points available to residents and visitors and we hope it will encourage more drivers in the city to choose greener vehicles.”
