Research suggests the Midlands could be set for EV boom

The Midlands could have over 1.7m electric vehicles (EVs) on its roads by 2030, a 2,475% increase on today, according to research from Midlands Connect.

Analysis of government data predicts a rise from 68,725 EVs today in the Midlands to 1,769,855 on its roads by the end of the decade.

This means nearly a third of all vehicles registered in the area could be electric by the end of 2030.

Engineering professional services firm WSP estimates that 8,909 new public charging points will be needed across the region to keep up with demand, with Midlands Connect calling for a £131m Electric Vehicle Fund to help councils install the necessary charging infrastructure.

Midlands Connect’s CEO Maria Machancoses said: ‘We’re on the brink of a boom in Electric Vehicles that could see every third car being an electric one by the end of decade. But more than this, we could also see thousands of new jobs created in the manufacturing, installation and repair of electric vehicles and charging points.

‘Local Authorities across the Midlands are doing a great job to roll out charging points, but they cannot do this alone. Government, the automotive industry and private suppliers must all play a part in speeding up the roll out and ensuring councils have the support they need. The Midlands started the industrial revolution and we are trying to make it our mission to make the Midlands the home of the green industrial revolution.’

Giles Perkins, Head of Profession for Future Mobility at WSP, commented: ‘We are on the cusp of a monumental change in transport and a decisive pivot away from fossil fuel-based transport modes to the age of the electric vehicle. This brings with it several challenges, not least the requirement for large scale deployment of charging infrastructure, which we must ensure provides convenient, equitable and inclusive solutions for all. 

‘However, this revolution also presents real opportunities for us through green investment and regeneration, new jobs and skills, as well as the benefits of improved local air quality, reduced carbon emissions and a spur to renewable energy.’

Photo by Red Dot