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Nov 08, 2024

Electric vehicle charging in Cornwall ‘improving all the time’

The number of electric vehicle (EV) chargers in Cornwall is "improving all the time, the local authority has said. “More are coming online every day,” said Martyn Alvey, Cornwall Council cabinet

The number of electric vehicle (EV) chargers in Cornwall is "improving all the time, the local authority has said.

“More are coming online every day,” said Martyn Alvey, Cornwall Council cabinet member for environment and climate change.

Data from EV charger app Zapmap shows that the number of publicly accessible chargers in the county had increased by 63% - to more than 750 - in the 12 months to the end of September 2024.

Cornwall Council has estimated that between 2,600 and 3,900 fast and 410 and 610 rapid, public charge points will be needed by 2030.

Hybrid car driver Tom Tubridy, from Truro, said he had considered buying an electric car but was concerned about the cost and the charging network in rural areas of the county.

“We were quite keen to move to something more sustainable with our car,” he said.

“But access to a charger, if you don’t have a driveway, is quite a limiting factor, as is the upfront cost of it. So, we went for a hybrid car as a stop gap solution."

Holidaymaker Richard Roberts, who was visiting Cornwall from Bedfordshire, said he had made the trip in his EV.

"In the two years I’ve had it there are far more chargers," he said.

"I think you also really need to have a home charger, I come out in the morning and the car is charged,” he added.

A Department for Transport spokesperson said electric vehicles played a key role in contributing to a cleaner environment.

“We’re supporting drivers in the transition to zero emission vehicles," the spokesman said.

"This includes a commitment to accelerating the rollout of public charge points – with more than 70,000 already in place across the country.”

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