A PARTNERSHIP scheme has increased the number of electric vehicle charge points for cars and taxis, and reduced a significant amount of carbon emissions across West Yorkshire.

West Yorkshire Combined Authority secured funding from the Government’s Office for Zero Emission Vehicles in 2018 which has led to the installation of 88 new charge points across West Yorkshire. Each rapid charge point included two bays - one for taxis and private hire vehicles and the other for all other car users. The charge points were also free to use until the October 29.

Of the 88 charge points, 22 were installed in the Bradford district.

The work was done by EQUANS, a branch of renewable electricity company ENGIE.

Since the scheme began, it has achieved the following milestones:

• Over 2,164 tonnes of CO2 have been saved by drivers since the scheme launched.

• 7 million kilowatt hours of green energy has been dispensed – enough to power a typical EV around the planet 380 times.

• The charging points have since provided more than nine million free miles to over 10,000 registered drivers.

Recent data from the Department for Transport has suggested that since the scheme was introduced, the purchase of ultra-low emission vehicles in West Yorkshire has risen by 162 per cent.

Derelict petrol station on Wakefield Road will become electric car charging hub

Councillor Susan Hinchcliffe, Leader of Bradford Council and Chair of West Yorkshire Transport Committee, said: “Here in West Yorkshire, we’re committed to becoming a net zero carbon economy by 2038 at the latest, and installing electric vehicle charging points is one of the ways we will deliver on that promise.

“We know one of the barriers to people making the switch to an electric car is knowing where they can charge their vehicles and I’m proud that our region has the highest number of rapid charging points outside of London.

“But there are many other obstacles and that’s why we’re continuing to call on the Government to go further.”

There are four other public electric vehicle charge points across the Bradford District, which the council has installed.