37 new on-street electric vehicle charging points will start to be installed across the borough beginning in late 2023.

In November 2022, the authority consulted on 53 proposed electric charge point locations. 37 sites which had majority support have been chosen to host the metre-high charge points. The small unobtrusive posts have been designed to sit at the edge of the footway for residents who do not have access to off-street parking.

The introduction of these charge points will support local people who wish to own an electric vehicle but do not have their own drive, or other access to off-street charging facilities.

The charge points will charge at 7kW. For many cars this will provide a full charge in roughly six hours, making them ideal for overnight charging for residents. Councillor Dr Rob Clinton, cabinet member for climate change, said:

“The installation of these charge points will form an important role in Dudley borough’s mixed approach to EV charging. They will not only help those residents who would struggle to charge an electric vehicle from their home but will also help us to reduce emissions as part of the Black Country Ultra-Low Emission Vehicle Strategy.

“This is just one of many small changes we are making at a local level which cumulatively will have a big impact. I encourage residents to engage with the forthcoming consultation regarding the second round of charge points, we want your feedback.”

The EV chargers will be available to the public with, at minimum, a Pay-As-You-Go payment system, additional complementary payment systems may be made available by the operator. Councillor Damian Corfield, cabinet member for highways and environmental services, added:

“The charge points are small and discreet and should take around four days to fit so will cause minimal disruption to residents. This investment will give thousands of our residents the convenience of accessing EV charge points on their street rather than having to install their own points from their home. Dedicated, shared charging bays make this a safer, more efficient way of bringing charge points to our communities.”

As the rolling programme begins, contractors will provide notices near the location to inform residents and write to those in the immediate vicinity of the upcoming works Each charge point should take up to a week to install, including signage and road markings.

The £420k scheme, funded through an Office of Zero Emission Vehicles grant and a charge point operator contribution, will help to realise the council’s commitment to the Black Country Ultra-Low Emission Vehicle Strategy, respond to the climate emergency and help to build infrastructure in time for the government ban on sales of new petrol and diesel vehicles in 2035.

A consultation for proposals for further charge points in more locations across the borough is set to launch in the coming weeks. For more information, you can visit dudley.gov.uk/evconsultation.