By KLTV Newsdesk –

New EV charging scheme aims to support residents without off-street parking and move Kirklees closer to net zero by 2038.

Plans to install electric vehicle (EV) charging points in at least 20 car parks across Kirklees have been approved by Cabinet, marking a significant step forward in the district’s transition to greener transport.

The move follows the successful securing of nearly £2.5 million in government funding, with the potential for additional investment through private partnerships. The project is funded through the Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (LEVI) Fund and is designed to boost access to EV charging across the borough.

Charging Access for All Residents

In the first phase, charging points will be installed in at least 20 council-owned car parks, specifically chosen for their accessibility to residents who do not have off-street parking at home. These locations aim to remove a key barrier for many people considering the switch to an electric vehicle.

Further expansion into on-street charging locations is expected in future phases of the initiative.

Councillor Moses Crook, Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Transport and Highways, said: “As electric vehicles become more popular, the LEVI funding and private investment enables us to vastly improve the charging infrastructure in Kirklees.

“This pilot scheme is a critical step in making electric vehicles more accessible. We know that many households without off-street parking are currently limited if they have an electric vehicle. These new chargers mean that if someone wants to make the switch to an electric vehicle, it will be a more practical option.”

Supporting a Net Zero Future

The scheme supports Kirklees Council’s ambition to become net zero and climate ready by 2038. Enhancing the EV infrastructure is seen as essential to reducing transport-related emissions and encouraging cleaner, more sustainable travel across the district.

The first EV charger installations are expected to begin later this year.

Regional Funding Boosts Local Ambitions

In addition to the local initiative, the wider West Yorkshire region has also been awarded significant LEVI funding. Through the West Yorkshire Combined Authority, the region has received:

• £1.5 million in LEVI funding

• £14.3 million in LEVI Capital funding for residential charging points

• Over £1.5 million in capability funding to support EV programme delivery

This collective investment will further help to install more close-to-home EV charging points across the region, making electric vehicles a more convenient and realistic option for more residents.

Kirklees Council’s EV charging rollout represents a vital piece of the puzzle in transforming local transport and meeting the borough’s long-term environmental targets.