The first of 20 electric vehicle (EV) charging hubs in Stockport has been installed at Romiley Precinct as part of a £15m project to deliver charging infrastructure across the borough.
Owned by Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council, the Romiley location is equipped with four charging bays – two ultra-rapid, one rapid and one fast – supplied by EV charging provider Be.EV.
Be.EV funded the up-front installation and operating costs for the Romiley Precinct hub and managed the design, build and installation of the site. The company will also provide ongoing maintenance.
The Romiley hub is available to anyone with an EV, with drivers able to access a discounted rate by taking membership with Be.EV.
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According to the council, the ultra-rapid chargers can add around 125 miles of range in 15 minutes.
A deal signed by Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council and Be.EV in March 2023 includes plans for a total of 20 installations, which will see the local authority receive a share of revenue from the chargepoints to reinvest into local services.
Cllr Mark Roberts, cabinet member for climate change and environment, Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council, said: “It is fantastic to see the first charging point in operation following the agreement signed in 2023.
“The whole of Stockport, including the council, residents and businesses, must make big changes to reduce our emissions now so that we stop contributing to climate change and providing this new infrastructure will help us on that challenging journey.
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“Installing more electric vehicle chargers is a key element for the council with regards to its commitment to taking action on climate change as we aim for Stockport to be carbon neutral by 2038.”
Stockport reportedly has close to 2,700 registered EVs and the charging hubs aim to enable drivers to charge their car while commuting or visiting nearby retailers, thereby providing a boost to the local economy.
Achievements and innovations in EV charging will be celebrated at the third annual CiTTi Awards, which will be held on 26 November 2024 at the De Vere Grand Connaught Rooms in London. Nominations officially open in March 2024. Please visit www.cittiawards.co.uk to learn more about this unmissable event for the UK’s transportation sector.
