The UK Government funded local electric vehicle infrastructure (LEVI) fund announced today (18 March 2024) the latest funding allocation for local authorities across England. Following the approval of the first five local authority applications in February 2024, payments to 44 additional councils have now been approved for payment for electric vehicle (EV) chargepoints in key areas, worth over £185 million.

In addition, local authorities placed into tranche 2 of the LEVI fund, will be asked to submit applications. The tranche 2 application window opens on 2 April 2024 and closes on 19 July 2024.

The Department for Transport (DfT) and the LEVI Support Body (Energy Saving Trust, PA Consulting and Cenex) are providing ongoing support and guidance to all LEVI fund applicants. This includes a new electric vehicle infrastructure training course for local authority officers.

More drivers are making the switch to fully electric vehicles, while the UK government’s zero emission vehicle mandate requires 80% of new cars and 70% of new vans sold in Great Britain to be zero emission by 2030 (100% by 2035). Supporting local authorities with critical EV infrastructure will be a key part of providing confidence to drivers and businesses and the car industry in the UK.

Chris Rimmer, infrastructure strategy lead at Cenex added:

“With tranche 2 opening straight after Easter, we are looking forward to working with local authorities to support and ensure the next wave of applications learns from tranche 1 to achieve an excellent standard.”

Hugh Pickerill, programme manager for EV grants and infrastructure at Energy Saving Trust, said:

“It’s great to see this latest round of funding allocated to what will be effective projects to improve EV charging infrastructure across the country.

“Having begun engagement with the local authorities applying to the next round of applications, we’re keen to start working more closely with them to assist in the development of their applications and to achieve excellence in project standard.”

The LEVI support body is also running LEVI application masterclasses, intended to educate and equip local authority officers with the expertise to expertly complete each section of the LEVI application. These sessions are open to all local authority officers and include input from the DfT, an opportunity to hear about LEVI scheme updates, general themes from earlier applications and the opportunity to feedback and ask questions.

More information on the acceleration of public EV chargepoints can be found on the GOV.UK website.

Further information on the LEVI fund can be found on our website.