The number of electric vehicle charging stations in Bedford has increased over the past two years Bedford News

There are more public electric vehicle charging points in Bedford than two years ago, according to new figures.

According to the Department for Transport, there were 105 public charging points in Bedford on January 1, up from 34 two years ago.

Residents had also installed 806 home charging points through the Electric Vehicle Home Charging Program as of January 1, an increase of 127% over the past two years, according to other figures from the Department of Transport.

The scheme provides applicants with a 75% grant towards the cost of installing the charging point up to £350.

101 charging stations have also been installed in workplaces.

But with residents needing “designated private off-street parking” for the Homecharge scheme, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) argued that more investment was needed for those who only have parking in the street.

Across the East of England, 101 charging stations have been installed under the On-Street Residential Scheme, which local authorities can apply to fund installations.

Another 124 applications have been approved since April 2019, but the installation remains incomplete.

Separate figures from the SMMT show there are now more than 460,000 battery electric cars in the UK, more than double the number two years ago.

But the lack of charging points prevents people from switching providers, says SMMT chief executive Mike Hawes.

He said: “The automotive industry is ready to meet the challenge of a zero-emission new car and van market by 2035.

“Achieving this ambition requires more than automotive investment; it requires the commensurate engagement of all other stakeholders, in particular the charging industry.”

The government last month announced major investment plans in charging infrastructure, totaling £1.6billion across a range of schemes.

They include the already announced £950m fast charging fund, to install more than 6,000 fast chargers on England’s motorways, and a £450m local electric vehicle infrastructure fund to address the shortfall. local charging points.

By 2030, the government aims to provide 300,000 public charging points, 18 times the number a decade ago – and aims to phase out petrol and diesel cars completely by 2030.