ENGIE, the energy and services group, has been commissioned by West Yorkshire Combined Authority to provide a new network of at least 88 rapid electric vehicle charging points across the region.
Each charging point will have two charging bays. One will be specifically for taxis and private hire vehicles and the other will be for all other users. Typically, the charging points will provide a full charge to an electric vehicle in around 20 to 30 minutes and will be free to use until late October 2021.
The Combined Authority and its district partners, Bradford, Calderdale, Kirklees, Leeds and Wakefield councils are providing £1.2m of match funding. ENGIE will install, own and operate the charge points for at least 10 years. Work will soon get underway to identify suitable and convenient charge point locations.
Cllr Kim Groves, Chair of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority Transport Committee, said: “Improving air quality across West Yorkshire and Leeds City Region while at the same time developing the transport networks vital to supporting inclusive growth is one of the Combined Authority’s key aims and this work will help us achieve that.
“Installing new charging points at these 88 sites, where people can charge their vehicles for free, is designed to encourage the transfer to electric vehicles.
“Making half the bays exclusively for the use of taxis and private hire vehicles could result in up to 500 diesel taxis and private hire vehicles being converted to hybrid and pure electric versions by 2020, which would reduce Nitrogen Dioxide emissions from taxis by as much as 18%, in line with our target of developing Clean Energy and Environmental Resilience for Leeds City Region.”
Wilfrid Petrie, CEO of ENGIE UK and Ireland said: “ENGIE is committed to improving the lives of people in cities and urban areas by tackling air pollution and we believe the provision of rapid electric vehicle charge points across the West Yorkshire region will help encourage more people to choose a low emission vehicle.
“The provision of green mobility solutions is part of ENGIE’s wider strategy to combine our capabilities to assist local authorities and other public sector customers with placemaking - working alongside them to shape the future use of their estates and public spaces.
“We have seen real success and tangible improvements in carbon reduction in cities where we have managed green mobility solutions and we are looking forward to seeing this being replicated across West Yorkshire.”
