New scheme installs electric vehicle charging points for free
Businesses in Cumbria can apply to have electric vehicle charging points installed on their premises – normally at no cost to them.
The scheme is offered by Charge My Street, a community benefit society, which is working with Cumbria Action for Sustainability to identify 100 suitable host sites for electric vehicle charge points in Cumbria and Lancashire.
Thanks to government funding through Innovate UK, there is usually no installation fee and no ongoing costs for host businesses.
Rob Johnston, Chief Executive of Cumbria Chamber of Commerce, said: “We all want to do our bit to tackle climate change. To that end, the Chamber is working on a toolkit that will help businesses reduce their carbon footprint.
“Charge My Street’s scheme fits well with that. It will be particularly attractive to retail and hospitality businesses that have off-street parking – and let’s face it these sectors need all the help they can get at the moment.
“If you’re a shop, restaurant, cafe or pub, there’s a good chance that customers will spend money with you while their vehicle is being charged.
“If you’re a hotel, guest house or self-catering provider, electric vehicle owners are much more likely to book if you can offer on-site charging.
“This is a fast-growing market – UK sales of electric vehicles increased by 64% in the first five months of 2020 and we expect the trend to continue given the Government’s intention to ban the sale of new petrol, diesel and hybrid cars from 2035.”
To be considered for the scheme, the host business must:
- Have adjoining spaces for at least two EVs to park and charge
- Have good mobile data coverage or have an open broadband signal
- Be accessible to the public at least overnight
- Be near residential areas with limited off-street parking options.
The charge points are operated via a mobile phone app and would be available for use to the public as well as staff and customers of the host sites.
The scheme aims to boost the uptake of electric vehicles in areas with a high proportion of terraced housing or flats, which don’t have a driveway or garage where owners can charge their vehicle overnight.
In most cases there is no installation charge. The only exception is when Electricity North West has to carry out work to upgrade the grid connection.
Installation is carried out by Bay Camera and Communications and the charge point is owned by Charge My Street.
The host business receives a peppercorn rent and is not charged for the electricity consumed – the cost is borne entirely by Charge My Street, which is also responsible for the upkeep and maintenance of the charge point.
To suggest your business as a host site, click here.
Watch this short video to understand more about the scheme:
There is more information on Cumbria Action for Sustainability’s website here and you can replay this webinar on the Charge My Street scheme:
CASE STUDY: West Point House
The self-catering accommodation and meeting room provider West Point House is the first business on Walney Island – and one of the first in Barrow – to have electric vehicle charging points.
A double socket has been installed by Charge My Street, officially opened by Barrow’s Deputy Mayor, Helen Wall, amid a fanfare of publicity.
Heather Cockett Phillips, joint owner of West Point House, believes the charging points will make West Point House’s accommodation, conference and meeting room offer even more attractive to potential customers.
She said: “We are truly delighted that we are able to offer our residents, and the wider community, the opportunity to go green and use an electric car.
“The coronavirus lockdown led people to use their cars less bringing a reduction in pollution levels. Wouldn’t it be great if we could do that all the time by encouraging the take up of electric vehicles?”
© Cumbria Chamber of Commerce