South Norwich could soon be ‘plugged in’
Plug-in points for electric cars could be on their way in Norwich, if the city is successful in its bid for government funding. The big question is where to put them.
Norwich will become a ‘key cluster’ for electric vehicle charging points, if the bid for funding is successful. The bid, developed by the East of England Development Agency, has already been shortlisted by the government, along with 12 others nationally.
The plug-in points, which will allow electric cars to be charged up in approximately 1 hour, cost around £5000. Typically the charge lasts for 100 miles. Cars can also be connected into a domestic plug, but it takes far longer to charge a car up.
Norfolk County Council is already considering where the faster plug-in points could be located, in places such as car parks or public buildings. As it can take up to an hour to fully charge up, it may make sense to choose locations outside restaurants, shops or hotels. Owen Jenkins, Principle Policy and Performance Officer for Norfolk County Council said: “Clearly there has to be a strategy about where they are located.”
The East of England bid is for £2.7m from the Government towards a £5.4 million project to provide a charging point infrastructure across the region. More than 50 private and public sector partners have supported the East of England bid. A final decision on who will secure government match funding is expected in November.
Comment
