Luton Borough Council

20/03/2024 - Luton successful with Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Capital Fund

Luton has this week (18 March) received a major boost to its plans to encourage electric vehicle usage across the town over the coming years.

Following an application to the Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (LEVI) Capital Fund, the Department for Transport has awarded the council with funding of £1,273,000 for hundreds of charging sockets across Luton.

The LEVI Fund will enable the council in partnership with a chargepoint operator to install electric vehicle charge points, allowing residents without off-street parking the opportunity to charge close to home.

The increase in chargepoints will help people who are thinking of making the switch to an electric vehicle but are concerned about how they might charge or the amount of chargers available, especially those who do not have their own drive way. This increase will support the council’s plans to deliver more sustainable transport solutions and so help reduce pollution and tackle the climate emergency.

Portfolio holder for Sustainable Development and Highways, Cllr Javed Hussain said: “We are delighted that our application to the LEVI Capital Fund was successful. Receiving over £1million from the Department for Transport will support Luton in our ambition to install hundreds of electric vehicle charging sockets across the town, working in partnership with a chargepoint operator.

“This will allow residents without off-street parking the opportunity to charge close to home and will help towards our goal to achieve net zero in Luton by 2040.”

Technology and Decarbonisation Minister Anthony Browne said: “This Government has a plan to help speed up the installation of EV chargepoints, which we’re getting on and delivering.

“This dedicated funding to local councils is part of our plan to ensure people can switch from a petrol or diesel car to an EV when they choose to do so."

The council will continue to work with the Department for Transport to finalise the terms of the new contract. Once completed the council will appoint a chargepoint operator partner to start installing new chargepoint from early next year.