Birmingham to roll out EV rapid charging network

Birmingham City Council will start its roll out of an initial network of 394 fast and rapid electric vehicle chargers this month.

The new charge points will be added over the next two years and powered by renewable energy.

Birmingham’s rapid charging network is being supported through £2.92 million in funding from the Office of Low Emission Vehicles (OLEV) and the council’s newly-procured Electric Vehicle (EV) Network Development Partner, ESB EV Solutions.

The new project will help support taxi operators make the switch to EVs, but the new charge points will also be made available to the general public and local businesses.

Birmingham City Council will work with ESB EV Solutions to develop and deliver a complete charging strategy for the next 12 years.

This will set-out plans for a city-wide EV charging system, focused on meeting the specific needs of all communities throughout Birmingham.

The electric vehicle charge point locations will be chosen based on an assessment of predicted local demand, to ensure that the charge points provide maximum benefit to EV drivers.

Councillor Waseem Zaffar, Birmingham City Council’s cabinet member for transport and the environment, said: “This is huge news for our city, and a major step in supporting our climate emergency commitment to cut carbon emissions.

“What’s more, it will be a key driver in supporting the electrification of Birmingham’s taxi fleet which is a major step in us improving air quality in the city centre.”