£14.2M released for LEVI infrastructure

Some £14.2M in funding has been released, with the first local authorities approved for LEVI capital funding for public on-street electric vehicle chargepoints and infrastructure.

Following approval by the Office for Zero Emission Vehicles (OZEV), the funding will support local authorities to work with the chargepoint industry to improve the availability of charging for electric vehicle drivers who don’t have access to off-street parking.

Launched in March 2023, the £381M LEVI Fund is a key part of the UK’s commitment to decarbonise transport. With the UK’s zero emission vehicle (ZEV) mandate requiring 100% of new cars and new vans sold in Great Britain to be zero emission by 2035, the LEVI Fund is vital for supporting local authorities to increase public EV chargepoints, particularly for residents who don’t have off-street parking available.

The local authorities approved for funding are; Bedford, East Sussex, North Yorkshire, and the London Boroughs Hackney and Hounslow.

The Department for Transport (DfT) and the LEVI Support Body (Energy Saving Trust, PA Consulting and Cenex) are providing ongoing support and guidance to all LEVI Fund applicants. Further announcements on successful local authorities who applied for funding this financial year are expected in the coming months.

Hugh Pickerill, programme manager for EV Grants and Infrastructure at Energy Saving Trust, said: “We’re pleased to see this funding go to innovative projects that will deliver thousands of chargepoints, increasing provision across England to meet the rapidly growing demand for electric vehicles. This funding is instrumental to accelerate EV uptake, and to contribute to improving air quality nationwide through lower emissions.”

Dr. Sagar Mody, technical consultant for infrastructure strategy at Cenex said: “This is a significant milestone in the LEVI journey to realise the vision of universal chargepoint provision across England. The strategic focus of the fund will enable public authorities commission thousands of chargepoints in their local areas to support the uptake of electric vehicles, contributing to better air quality for all.”

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