Trafford Borough Council is collaborating with Be.EV to install advanced EV chargers, marking their latest sustainability initiative
24 state-of-the-art EV chargers funded by Be.EV will be installed across Trafford, with a portion of the profits benefiting Trafford Council.
The EV chargers, the majority of which are rapid or ultra-rapid, can charge an average EV up to 80% within 20 minutes to an hour.
Four EV charging hubs have already been activated and are ready for use in Trafford.
These hubs, located at Balmoral Road, James Street, Regent Road, and Trafford Town Hall, are at the forefront of the EV charging infrastructure.
Trafford Council began working with Be.EV in 2022 to develop an inclusive EV charging strategy catering to the community’s requirements.
As a result, 41 chargers have been installed in the region, servicing 81 parking bays. A further 46 chargers are currently in the planning phase.
Trafford Council hope to inspire more EV use
Trafford Council has a fleet of 17 electric vehicles used for services such as highway maintenance, estate management, and ground maintenance. Through their use of electric vehicles, they aim to inspire more public participation in the electric vehicle movement.
Be.EV has the largest public charging network in the Northwest, which is rapidly expanding nationwide. The network has an availability rate of 99.6%.
From April 1, 2022, to May 4, 2023, there has been significant growth in the installation of public charging devices in the UK. The total number of installed public devices has surged by 9,860, representing a substantial 33% increase. The number of rapid charging or higher-capacity devices has risen by 39%, with an additional 2,153 public devices successfully installed.
“This expansion is a key element in our commitment to tackling climate change, as we aim for Trafford to be carbon neutral by 2038,” said Tom Ross, leader of Trafford Council.
“We’re determined to break down the barriers to people going electric and make it possible for anyone in our communities to move away from petrol and the pollution it causes,” he added.
The EV chargers will provide residents with rental income
The council will maintain ownership of the sites while Be.EV takes responsibility for installing and maintaining the chargers. This collaboration ensures that residents not only benefit from convenient charging facilities but also receive rental income from the sites.
“We’re delighted to be further expanding our charging network within Trafford. Thanks to progressive local authorities such as Trafford Council, Manchester is leading the North West’s EV transition,” said Asif Ghafoor, CEO of Be.EV.
“Trafford has been a fantastic partner, and they’re playing a vital role in supporting the early uptake of electric vehicles. Our ongoing partnership with Trafford will see our reliable network of charging hubs continue to expand, and other councils should be taking note. Without this type of commitment from local authorities, we’ll never see a successful transition to electric vehicles,” he concluded.
