Cumberland Council has secured £3.5m in funding from the Department for Transport (DfT) to get more EV chargers onto streets.

The funding, awarded through the Office for Zero Emission Vehicles’ Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (LEVI) scheme, is intended to ensure at least 70% of Cumberland residents without access to off-street parking will have a charge point available within a five-minute walk of their home.

In more rural or isolated areas where this may not be feasible, charging facilities will be provided at local community hubs to ensure equitable access.

The funding was approved in April – and consultation with residents and stakeholders will start from July, helping shape the rollout and identify priority locations for charging infrastructure.

The first chargers are set to be installed by winter 2025 and all planned charge points are expected to be fully commissioned by winter 2028.

Cumberland Councillor Denise Rollo, Executive Member for Sustainable, Resilient and Connected Places, said: “This project supports Cumberland’s net zero ambitions, reduces barriers to EV ownership, and strengthens our commitment to addressing the climate emergency while promoting innovation and social value across the region.”