Midlands still on track for EV boom, says research

The Midlands is still on track for an electric vehicle boom, according to new research. 

Midlands Connect suggests the region could see more than two million electric cars on its streets by the end of the decade, with a significant increase in public EV charge points needed to keep up with demand. 

The new projections were announced today (March 7) at Midlands Connect’s EV Conference.

Figures suggest the Midlands will see a 1,899% increase in uptake in electric vehicles (EVs) by the end of 2030, with projections predicting to rise from 103,014 EVs today to 2,059,611 on its roads by the end of 2030. 

These numbers indicate just under a third (32.5%) of all vehicles registered in the Midlands Connect area could be an EV by the end of 2030.

New research forecasts have shown the Midlands region requires a further 58,997 public charging points by 2030 to support the increase in EV use over the next decade, a 969% increase from the 6,090 chargers existing across the region today. 

This equates to the installation of 27 new EVCPs every day, 194 per week, and 9,832 per year until the start of the new decade.

The work is part of the sub-national transport body’s efforts to support local authorities in increasing EV charger roll-out. 

In September 2023, it partnered with 14 local authorities for a total of £40.3m of government’s Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (LEVI) Fund to be part of consortium approach, accounting for 61% of the regions £66.5m funding.

The figures were announced at Midlands Connect’s EV Conference today, which brought together senior leaders and policymakers to discuss the challenges and opportunities facing the EV industry.

Discussions included hearing from firms manufacturing EVs; electrifying fleets of vehicles and ensuring that electrified transport is accessible to everyone.

Midlands Connect’s CEO Maria Machancoses said:  “It’s clear we’re still on the brink of a boom in electric vehicles that could see every third car being an electric one by the end of decade.

“Local authorities across the Midlands are doing a great job to roll out charging points, but they cannot do this alone. 

“We’re already working with local authorities to support their work and help secure EV infrastructure funding from government.

“Our conference today allowed us to bring together many different aspects of the EV industry, including government, to discuss the challenges and opportunities ahead.

"We want to make the Midlands the home of the green industrial revolution.”