WORCESTERSHIRE could have 130,004 electric vehicles (EVs) on its roads by 2030 – a 2,573 per cent increase on today.
That’s according to new research from Midlands Connect which reveals 2,730 new public charging points will be needed in the county to keep pace with the boom at a cost of some £131million.
The number of EVs is predicted to rise from 4,864 today to 130,004 by the end of 2030. The Midlands overall could see 1,769,855 EVs on its roads in this same time frame, meaning nearly a third of all vehicles registered in the area could be an electric vehicle by the end of 2030.
While local councils have worked tirelessly to improve their EV infrastructure, analysis by Midlands Connect suggests a £131million ‘Electric Vehicle Fund’ is needed to support them in delivering the public charging points needed this decade.
Research predicts private businesses will fund just over half of the electric vehicle charging points needed on the network with local authorities expected to deliver the other half.
Midlands Connect’s CEO Maria Machancoses said: “Worcestershire is on the brink of a boom in electric vehicles and could see every third car being an electric one by the end of decade.
“But more than this, we could also see thousands of new jobs created in the manufacturing, installation and repair of electric vehicles and charging points.
“Government, the automotive industry and private suppliers must all play a part in speeding up the roll out and ensuring councils have the support they need.
Giles Perkins, head of profession for Future Mobility at WSP, said: “We are on the cusp of a monumental change in transport and a decisive pivot away from fossil fuel-based transport modes to the age of the electric vehicle.
“This brings with it several challenges, not least the requirement for large scale deployment of charging infrastructure, which we must ensure provides convenient, equitable and inclusive solutions for all.”
