Electric charge points to be rolled out across the county helping to make Essex safer, greener and healthier.

The Government has confirmed that Essex County Council (ECC) will be awarded £236,000 as part of the electric vehicle (EV) residential charge point scheme.

Approximately 60 charging points will be installed in 30 locations across the county from summer 2023 onwards and supports ECC’s ambition for Essex to become safer, greener and healthier.

EV charging at home usually takes place off-street in garages and driveways.

However, in many parts of the UK, off-street parking is unavailable so by installing charge points on-street or in public car parks, residents without off-street parking can enjoy the convenience and value of charging their electric vehicles at home.

Tracey Vickers, Essex County Council’s Head of Sustainable Transport, said: “In a rural county, the car is always going to need to be part of the solution for necessary journeys.

“This grant will allow trial charge points in different types of rural and urban locations to understand what works where. 

“As more residents use electric vehicles, communities will benefit from improved air quality and lower their carbon footprint helping Essex to become safer, greener and healthier.”

The grant funding has been awarded by the Office for Zero Emission Vehicles (OZEV) and will be administered by the Energy Saving Trust. ECC will be publishing its EV strategy later this year.

Essex County Council has set up an ambitious and robust programme to tackle climate change and transform Essex to become a carbon neutral county.

The Council has a strong foundation in supporting residents transition to cleaner forms of transport. In December 2021, Essex County Council partnered with Gridserve to open the first solar powered electric vehicle charging forecourt at Great Notley near Braintree. The Council’s ongoing Safer, Greener, Healthier campaign invests in active transport schemes, such as cycle paths and dedicated walking routes, to help people stay fit and healthy by walking and cycling, also contributing to a cleaner environment.