- The Midlands will benefit from more than 16,000 new EV chargers
- 13 local authorities across the region have received £40.8m from the LEVI Fund
- The new chargepoints aim to boost charging infrastructure across the Midlands
Electric vehicle (EV) drivers across the Midlands will benefit from more than 16,000 new EV chargers as the region secures more than £40m in government funding.
Lilian Greenwood, future of roads minister, has confirmed that 13 local authorities across the region have received £40.8m from the Local EV Infrastructure (LEVI) Fund to roll out thousands of chargers.
The Midlands currently has more than 10,000 public chargers, and this announcement means more EV drivers will have easier access to charging near their home.
The funding comes on top of more than £2.3bn to help industry and consumers switch to an EV. Greenwood said this is helping create high paid jobs, as well as supporting businesses up and down the country and tapping into a multi-billion pound industry to deliver the government’s Plan for Change.
Greenwood said that making charging as seamless and as easy as possible is “crucial to making the switch to electric a success” and that increasing the number of chargers across the Midlands will make driving an EV “cheaper and easier, especially for those without a driveway”.
“EVs will power growth, cut emissions and improve lives in the Midlands and beyond as we continue to deliver our Plan for Change,” Greenwood stated.
The new chargepoints aim to improve charging infrastructure across the Midlands, including in smaller towns and rural areas, according to Greenwood.
The announcement follows a string of EV updates, including the roll out of more than 1,400 chargepoints at schools and more than 59,00 chargers at offices and workplaces across the country. The department also announced a £120m funding scheme to help drivers and businesses buy zero-emissions vans, taxis and electric motorcycles.
The UK’s public chargepoint network currently has more than 74,000 public chargers and a record of nearly 20,000 were added last year alone.
“With £200m announced at 2024 Budget to continue powering the chargepoint rollout and £6bn of private investment in the pipeline, the UK’s charging network will continue to see hundreds of thousands of chargers added in the coming years, delivering resilient infrastructure so that EV owners can drive with the confidence that they’re always close to a chargepoint,” Greenwood added.
Is it worth installing an EV charger at home?
To ensure you never run out of battery, installing an EV charger at home is definitely worth the investment.
An EV charger costs between £800 and £1,200, but you can cut your recharging costs by up to £467 per year compared to using public chargers.
You can also charge your car overnight from the safety of your driveway and won’t have to carve out time to visit a public charging station.
There are two main types of chargers, with the main difference being the cable. Tethered chargers have a fixed cable, whereas untethered chargers have a cable that can be detachable. The cost difference between the two is around £20.
Like most things, however, there are factors that can impact the final cost. These are:
- Speed: Slow chargers suit most domestic users and are usually much more affordable. On average, a rapid charger costs £400 more than a slow charger
- Brand: Many companies will charge you more for the same basic product, but some brands are more expensive than others. Read our Best Home EV Chargers guide before making your final decision
- Smart features: Most chargers have optimised charging, only charging at the cheapest possible, but some also have a remote locking feature or can use solar energy to charge your vehicle
- Aesthetics: It may cost you extra if you want your charger to look extra sleek or be a specific colour.
- Unusual extra costs: If your driveway is far from your fuse box, the installer may charge extra for additional cable. Thick stone walls may also increase installation time and cost.
For a full run-down on home charger installation costs and to help you weigh up if it’s worth investing in an at-home charger, use our guide: Electric car charger installation costs in the UK.
There are also government grants available to help with the costs. Right now, these are the EV Chargepoint Grant, the Workplace Charging Scheme and the EV Chargepoint grant for landlords.
Get quotes for an EV charger
Installing an at-home EV charger can save you both time and money. Get in touch with our trusted suppliers for the right EV charger for you.
Are EVs becoming more popular?
More than 382,000 EVs were sold in 2024, up a fifth on the previous year, marking the UK the largest EV market in Europe.
One in three EVs are now under £20,000, Greenwood claimed, and 21 new EVs are under £30,000.
A challenge to adoption was the travel distances between charging, however, the average range of a new EV is now 236 miles. This is about two weeks of driving for most people – all while emitting just one-third of the greenhouse gas emissions of a petrol car during its lifetime.
Charging them is easier than ever before, too. Most have 24/7 helplines available and drivers are able to use contactless payments and up-to-date public chargepoint locations.
How accessible are EVs?
EVs are still expensive, yes, but manufacturers are working to bring more affordable options to the market.
Take Volkswagen. Last month, it unveiled plans for a new ‘affordable and high-quality’ entry-level EV model to make clean mobility more accessible.
The car manufacturing giant will be available in 2027 at a base price of £16,500 in a bid to make it more attractive for a wider variety of consumers.
Thomas Schäfer, CEO of Volkswagen Passenger Cars, says the EV is all part of the manufacturers presenting its future plans of the VW brand and that it is a “key step in making electro-mobility attractive for everyone”.
“We have embarked on the largest future plan in the history of Volkswagen. We are now following an ambitious course with a view to ensuring we reach the targets jointly agreed,” he said at a work meeting held in Wolfsburg.
What are the changes you need to be aware of before investing in an EV?
From 1 April 2025, EV drivers will need to pay Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) – better known as road tax.
While this will only affect the cost for the first year the car is registered, there are some cost increases EV drivers need to know about.
Any new EVs will pay the lowest band of £10 until 2029-30, and the standard annual rate – currently £195 – from the second year.
Get quotes for an EV charger
Installing an at-home EV charger can save you both time and money. Get in touch with our trusted suppliers for the right EV charger for you.
The RAC also said that any cars emitting between 1-50g/km of CO2 will see the first year tax bill rise to £110. Currently hybrids in this band pay nothing in the first year, while diesel and petrol cars pay £10.
This change by the government has been made for one simple reason: To make it fair and sustainable as more drivers transition to EVs.
Use our guide, What do the 2025 road tax changes mean for EV drivers, for a more detailed explanation.
