£500,000 boost for EV charging

Almost half a million pounds is set to be invested to improve infrastructure in the region to make charging Electric Vehicles (EVs) easier and cheaper.

Local residents taking part in the project would benefit from lower charging costs, utilising their own domestic electricity supply.

£429,000 is available to the regional authority to help residents without off-street parking to charge their Electric Vehicles at home, without leaving cables lying across pavements. The funding is from the government’s Department of Transport following approval from the Office for Zero Emission Vehicles. It would enable narrow channels to be cut into pavements for cables and then covered with lids, strips, or brushes, leaving the surface flat with the rest of the pavement.

The combined authority would work with local councils to finalise how it would work, click to open in a new windowwith a range of different methods and models already trialled elsewhere in the country, subject to approval at click to open in a new windowthe next joint meeting of the Mayor and council leaders on 17 October. The roll out would be expected from late summer/autumn 2026. Grants of up to £1,200 per charger would be available, with a resident contribution/annual cost to be confirmed.

The Department for Transport has also approved submissions for Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure, with Bath & North East Somerset Council (B&NES) ready to proceed with a further trial of on-street charging thanks to £60,000 of proposed investment. This trial is scheduled to start from spring 2026. B&NES are looking to work with Motability to explore how to improve access to home charging for Motability users.

Helen Godwin, Mayor of the West of England, said:

“I promised to get the West moving, and get us out of the slow lane on transport. We have secured a record three-quarters of a billion pounds of new transport funding, which will mean fixed roads and bridges, better buses, more trains, and mass transit plans.

“Green electric buses are already rolling out across the West, cutting pollution and improving journeys – with even more on the way. As the government works to reduce the costs of private Electric Vehicles, through this grant we will able to support more convenient charging infrastructure for local people across the region.”

Councillor Sarah Warren, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Sustainable Bath & North East Somerset, said:

“This is important investment in electric vehicle infrastructure across our region. Making it easier and more affordable for residents – especially those without off-street parking – to charge their EVs at home is a vital step in helping more people make the switch to cleaner transport. 

“This funding will help us trial innovative solutions that improve accessibility and safety, while also supporting our wider climate and air quality goals. We look forward to working with the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority and our communities to deliver these improvements.”

Councillor Tony Dyer, Leader of Bristol City Council, said:

“We know that many Bristol residents are keen to switch to electric vehicles but face barriers because they don’t have off-street parking. That’s why I’m pleased to welcome this potential funding from the combined authority that would support our trial of cross-pavement EV chargers. This extra funding would allow eligible households to apply for a grant to part-fund installing a charger on their street, encouraging more people to get involved with the trial. It’s a practical step towards our goal of a carbon-neutral Bristol and a fairer, greener transport system for everyone.”

Councillor Maggie Tyrrell, Leader of South Gloucestershire Council, said:

“We want to provide people living and working in the area with a range of sustainable travel choices. Some journeys need to be made by car, and this investment will provide infrastructure to help support those who are making the switch to an EV and hopefully encourage more people to consider an EV for their next vehicle.”

In June, click to open in a new windowBristol’s first electrified bus depot was opened by the Local Transport Minister – click to open in a new windowfollowing Weston-super-Mare’s in March. With further investment from First Bus in the West of England, around £150 million will be invested in electric buses and charging infrastructure in the two years to March 2027. 250 new green electric buses are expected on our streets by next summer, click to open in a new windowfollowing approval by the Mayor and council leaders in July

Original press release by the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority