Funding for the On-Street Residential Chargepoint Scheme (ORCS) will continue into 2021/22, as local authorities are urged to take advantage of a new £20 million funding boost.

ORCS was launched in 2017, and already 140 local authority projects have received funding from the scheme, helping to install nearly 4,000 electric vehicle (EV) chargepoints around the country.

The funding boost announced today (2 February 2021) by transport secretary Grant Shapps could double this number of chargepoints.

Shapps said drivers “from Cumbria to Cornwall” could benefit from the EV rollout currently underway.

“With a world-leading charging network, we’re making it easier for more people to switch to electric vehicles, creating healthier neighbourhoods and cleaning up our air as we build back
greener.”

ORCS has been increased a number of times since its inception, with a further £2.5 million announced for the scheme in August 2019.

With government targets for the electrification of transport becoming increasingly ambitious – in particular with the move to ban the sale of petrol and diesel cars by 2030 as part of the Ten Point Plan – the need for accessible on-street charging is growing to accommodate the increasing demand as well as to tackle challenges like range anxiety.

Nick Harvey, senior programme manager at Energy Saving Trust, said the £20 million ORCS funding in 2021/22 is “great news”.

“This funding will allow local authorities to install convenient and cost-effective electric vehicle charging infrastructure for those who rely on on-street parking. This helps to support the fair transition to the increased adoption of low carbon transport.

“We’re therefore encouraging local authorities to access this funding as part of their plans to decarbonise transport and improve local air quality.”

Read more: CURRENT

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