Plans to improve people’s access to electric vehicle charging points across West Yorkshire have taken a major step forward.

Blink Charging has been chosen to deliver the first phase of the region’s Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (LEVI) programme with 716 new chargers to be installed across West Yorkshire, and 152 in Kirklees.

Kirklees Council are working with the West Yorkshire Combined Authority to create a wide range of public electric vehicle charging points across West Yorkshire, ranging from standard (3.7kW to under 8 kW), Fast (8kW to 49kW), and Rapid (50kW to 149kW) charge points to meet the needs of the community.

The LEVI programme is part of a £1.4 million pilot, using government funding to improve off street parking.

Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Housing and Transport, said: “This is obviously good news if you own an electric vehicle, but it also makes going electric in Kirklees a more attractive and convenient option, especially for anyone who doesn’t have access to on-street parking”.

This project will involve Blink working with each of West Yorkshire’s district councils and their communities, in order to ensure the charging points are installed in the right places.

They will decide this by taking a data led approach, using both the views of the residents and Blink’s expertise.

Alex Calnan, Managing Director of Europe for Blink said: “It’s an honour to be working with the West Yorkshire Combined Authority on this significant and impactful project.

“As more drivers transition to electric vehicles, it’s essential that we continue to provide accessible and high-quality charging infrastructure. We look forward to working closely with each of the five WYCA councils to make this a reality.”

The Combined Authority has been awarded a further £14.3 million of funding from the Government for the second and third phases of the LEVI programme, with more suppliers expected to be appointed in 2026 and 2027.

Encouraging people to make the switch to electric cars will help reach the Combined Authority’s ambition for a net zero carbon region by 2038 at the latest.