The Greater Manchester Electric Vehicle (GMEV) Scheme is being led by Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM), and will offer free charging for members as an introductory offer until pricing is announced in the autumn.

It follows a consortium of businesses in the region, led by the Association of Greater Manchester Authorities, gaining £1.7m funding from OLEV’s Plugged-in Places Scheme, backed by £1m from the Greater Manchester Combined Authority.

Payments are being managed by Charge Your Car, the former North East England Plugged-in Places (PiP) scheme, which has now broadened its scope to offer nationwide pay as you go charging, accessed via a single membership card instead of via numerous local schemes.

Partners including NCP, the Manchester Central convention centre, Manchester Metropolitan University, Salford University and the intu Trafford Centre, each of whom will have charging points as part of the scheme.

Norman Baker, Parliamentary under-secretary of state for transport, said: ‘It’s initiatives like the GMEV charging scheme that are bringing to life the Coalition Government’s ambition to put in place a comprehensive and effective national infrastructure.  This will enable ultra low emission drivers to make the journeys that they need to.’