Midlands secures £40m Government investment to add 16,000 extra EV chargers to its network
- Perry Richardson
- Mar 7
- 2 min read
Taxi drivers and motorists across the Midlands will soon have access to more than 16,000 new electric vehicle (EV) chargers, following a £40.8 million Government investment.
Future of Roads Minister Lilian Greenwood confirmed today (7 March) that 13 local authorities, supported by Midlands Connect, have secured funding from the Local EV Infrastructure (LEVI) Fund. The investment aims to expand charging facilities across the region, including smaller towns and rural areas.
With over 10,000 public chargers already in place, the new rollout will make it easier for drivers to charge their vehicles near home. The funding is part of a wider £2.3 billion Government package to accelerate the switch to EVs, supporting jobs, businesses, and the UK’s clean energy ambitions.
The announcement follows a series of major EV investments, including £120 million to help drivers and businesses purchase zero-emission vans, taxis, and motorcycles. In the past week alone, more than 1,400 chargepoints have been installed at schools, with a further 59,000 at offices and workplaces nationwide.
The UK’s EV charging network continues to grow, with over 74,000 public chargers now available. Nearly 20,000 were added last year, and £200 million in new funding, along with £6 billion of private investment, is set to accelerate the rollout further.
EV adoption is also on the rise, with 382,000 electric cars sold in 2024, making the UK the largest EV market in Europe. With one in three used EVs priced under £20,000 and 21 new models available for less than £30,000, switching to electric is becoming more accessible.
Running costs for EV owners are falling, with savings of up to £750 per year for those who primarily charge at home. New electric cars now have an average range of 236 miles, enough to cover around two weeks of driving for most motorists.
Chargepoint accessibility has also improved, with contactless payments, 24/7 helplines, and real-time location data making charging more convenient than ever. With further investment planned, the Midlands is set to become a key hub for EV infrastructure in the UK.
Lilian Greenwood, Future of Roads Minister, said: “Making charging as seamless and as easy as possible is a crucial to making the switch to electric a success, and rolling out over 16,000 chargers across the Midlands will make driving an EV cheaper and easier, especially for those without a driveway.
“Electric vehicles will power growth, cut emissions and improve lives in the Midlands and beyond, as we continue to deliver our Plan for Change.”
Maria Machancoses, CEO of Midlands Connect, said: “We are delighted that our collaboration with local authorities has resulted in a significant funding boost for electric vehicle infrastructure across the region.
“This is a great step in moving towards a reliable electric vehicle charging infrastructure network across the Midlands, which will become increasingly important as we move closer to the 2035 ban of diesel and petrol vehicles.
“We will continue to work with local authorities to accelerate the roll-out of electric vehicle infrastructure across the Midlands.”
