The medieval village of Dunster has become the latest location to benefit from the Council’s rollout of electric vehicle charging points.
The 22kW fast charge point is located in Dunster Steep car park (somerset.gov.uk). It has become one of 305 publicly accessible charge points in Somerset, a figure that has increased 40.5% from 217 in June 2022.
Of these, 117 have been provided by the five previous councils in Somerset, achieved through public, private and grant funding, in particular the Government led ‘On Street Residential Chargepoint Scheme’ (ORCS).
The expansion of EV charging is part of Somerset Council’s commitment to a greener and more sustainable travel strategy.
Councillor Mike Rigby, Lead Member, Transport and Digital, said:
Having a good network of charging points – including in rural locations like Dunster – is crucial if we are going to successfully shift to electric vehicles, with all the environmental and health benefits that go with that.
Councillor Dixie Darch, Lead Member for Environment and Climate Change said:
This is another step forward in helping Somerset become a greener and more sustainable county. The Council recognises that expanding Somerset’s EV charging network will help us in the journey towards net zero.
We are doing this by successfully tapping into Government funding and in the coming months the team will be working hard to deliver a charging network that works for Somerset.
Earlier this year the Council submitted an expression of interest to secure £3.8m from the Governments ‘Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure’ (LEVI) fund and recently received confirmation that it cleared the initial stage.
As part of the LEVI process, potential on street charging locations will be mapped, and as all locations are different, and there are a variety of charging solutions, the aim is to make sure the right charge points are available in the right locations.
The network will include car parks and on-street locations, as well as addressing the charging needs of our more rural communities, and tourist destinations.
Planning for this network is underway, and if approved the first charge points being funded in this way could start being installed from late 2024.
Find a charge point location near you.
