Electric car charging points lagging in Hartlepool

Thinktank the Policy Exchange says the speed of creating charging points needs to increase to meet growing demand but local government chiefs say "longer term resourcing" is needed despite a Government pledge to give local authorities an extra £20m – aimed at doubling the 4,000 on-street charging points already funded by the Government.

There were just eight public charging points in Hartlepool at the start of January, according to figures from the Department for Transport – a rate of nine per 100,000 people, which is well below the UK average of 31.

There were 127 electric vehicles licensed in the area at the end of September, according to latest DfT data – up by 34 from September 2019.

Since October 2019 Hartlepool has introduced three new devices.

Nationally, there were 20,800 public charging points at the start of this year.

A report by the Policy Exchange says the speed of the rollout needs to increase from the current rate to meet the planned ban on new petrol and diesel cars in 2030.

Transport Minister Grant Shapps said the extra £20m would make it easier for people to switch to electric vehicles.

The Local Government Association, which represents councils in England, welcomed the support, but said "longer term resourcing" was needed.

Transport spokesman David Renard said: "Councils are working hard to improve electric vehicle charging infrastructure in their areas but are doing so against competing demands on their time and local circumstances will vary."