The project, part of a countywide initiative by Oadby & Wigston Borough Council (OWBC), has secured £182,169 in funding from the Leicester and Leicestershire Enterprise Partnership and the Government's Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (LEVI) fund. The new charging points will be powered by solar energy captured by a canopy built over the bays, further reducing carbon emissions compared to standard EV chargers.
Construction is anticipated to take 6-7 weeks. While the car park will not be fully closed, some spaces will be unavailable during this period. Alternative parking is available at East Street Car Park or Ellis Park Car Park.
Upon completion, the fast 11kW chargers will operate 24/7, providing a convenient solution for residents who cannot charge EVs at home. Cllr Lee Bentley, Deputy Leader of OWBC, highlighted the importance of upgrading infrastructure as electric car sales increase.
“"With more than one in four new cars sold now being electric, and that number increasing year-on-year, it is essential that our infrastructure keeps up. As well as benefitting residents, these chargers will ensure that Oadby remains a convenient place to visit, allowing town centre users to charge their vehicles while shopping and supporting local businesses. As a council we are committed to protecting our environment and tackling climate change, and by generating renewable energy on-site to power electric vehicle charging, we're also reducing carbon emissions and continuing on our path towards net-zero."
