Midlands Connect Archives - Destination Chesterfield

Research shows Derbyshire is still on track for EV boom

7th March 2024

New research suggests our area remains on track for an EV boom. A study by Midlands Connect predicts that Derbyshire and Derby city could see just under 66,000 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 at Midlands Connect’s EV Conference. Figures suggest Derby and Derbyshire will see a 440% increase in uptake in electric vehicles by the end of 2030, with projections predicting to rise from 12,216 EVs today to 65,915 on its roads by the end of 2030.

New research forecasts have shown Derby and Derbyshire require a further 6,949 public charging points by 2030 to support the increase in EV use over the next decade, an 1,534% increase from the 453 chargers existing across the region today.

Estimates suggest that by 2030, the Midlands could be home to over 2million EVs, with just under 1 in 3 (32.5%) vehicles being electric. To support this growing number of EVs, 58,997 new public EV charging points must be installed across the Midlands by the end of the decade. This means installing 27 new EVCPs every day, 194 per week, and 9,832 per year until the end of 2030.

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 £40.3mil of Government’s Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (LEVI) Fund to be part of consortium approach, accounting for ~61% of the regions £66.5mil 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 Electric Vehicle industry. Discussions included hearing from firms manufacturing EVs; electrifying fleets of vehicles and ensuring that electrified transport is accessible to everyone.

Commenting on the research, Midlands Connect’s CEO, Maria Machancoses, said: “It’s clear Derby and Derbyshire is still on the brink of a boom in Electric Vehicles, that could see just under 66,000 electric cars on its streets 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 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.”

Councillor Carolyn Renwick, Derbyshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Infrastructure and Environment, said: “We welcome this valuable research from Midlands Connect which qualifies the actions we’re taking to meet this projected demand.

“We’re committed to providing convenient, comprehensive, and cost-effective charging solutions for road users in Derbyshire and are progressing several projects in this area.

“We’re providing solutions for those without off street parking by developing a network of slow chargers utilising existing street lights. This solution is perfect for overnight residential use and we’re working with residents to locate suitable sites where there is demand. We’re also exploring opportunities to develop Rapid and Ultra rapid charging hubs, through private sector partnerships, to keep commercial fleet operational.

“But we can’t do this alone. Obviously, we need to work in partnership with private sector providers to roll out charging infrastructure in Derbyshire at pace and we’re currently in conversations with industry with a view to installing the next phase later this year.”

£100,000 funding awarded to supercharge sustainable travel around Derbyshire

22nd June 2022

An online platform that will encourage EV usage and car sharing in Derbyshire has been awarded £100,000 funding from Sub-national Transport Body Midlands Connect, it has been announced.

Independent research consultancy Cenex, in partnership with Derbyshire County Council, has been announced as the winner of Midlands Connect’s rural mobility competition, receiving £100,000 of funding to develop its proposal for an online Electric Vehicle (EV) charging and car sharing platform.

Once developed, the online platform will allow EV users across Derbyshire to ‘rent out’ their private charge points, giving motorists access to more chargers to power up their vehicles. The platform will also promote car sharing by providing opportunities for people to rent out their cars when they’re not using them, meaning that residents without their own private vehicle can get around more easily.

The project will encourage sustainable travel and open up opportunities for EV ownership to groups who may not have benefitted from access to local charging points before, particularly households without off-street parking.

The online platform will initially be targeted towards residents and local businesses, with hopes to expand to tourists in time.

Cenex and Derbyshire County Council will now use the prize money of £100,000 to further develop, test and trial the platform. Following the trial phase, should it be successful, it can then seek funding from either public or private sector sources for its widespread rollout.

Midlands Connect’s future of rural mobility competition received submissions from businesses which were asked to present new ideas that could help solve the social, environmental, and economic issues caused by poor connectivity in rural areas.

The winner was announced today at Midlands Connect’s Rural Mobility Conference in Melton Mowbray. The conference included panels from competition winners and runners up, as well as the Department for Transport, senior politicians and transport experts.

Midlands Connect CEO Maria Machancoses said: “Poor transport connectivity can be a challenge for rural communities, with residents often experiencing worse access to amenities and services such as schools, workplaces or hospitals. Our rural mobility competition was created to address these challenges and create innovative solutions that would enhance transport connectivity in isolated communities.

“It’s great to see how many people have come together to challenge poorer connectivity at our conference today, particularly those from the Department for Transport, senior leaders and decision makers.

“All our finalists for the rural mobility competition produced innovative solutions to tackle rural mobility – picking one winner was very challenging. We would like to congratulate our competition winner Cenex and look forward to seeing the idea developed in further detail.

“Although there could only be one winner, we will be sharing all information and experience with our partners so that they can set up similar pilot schemes if they wish to do so.”

Robert Evans, CEO at Cenex, added: “Our digital mobility hub has the potential to change the way Derbyshire residents think about transport. By giving people access to information on services such as car sharing, we can improve transport connectivity and reduce harmful carbon emissions from road transport.

“It also gives residents the chance to make some extra money through renting out their own vehicle – at a time when the cost of living is ever-increasing.

“This platform has the power to accelerate the transition to EVs by opening up access to more charging points locally, especially for people without a driveway who may otherwise find charging difficult.

“We are delighted to be announced as the winners of Midlands Connect’s rural mobility competition and are excited to develop the idea further with Derbyshire County Council.”

Councillor Tony King, Cabinet Member for Clean Growth and Regeneration at Derbyshire County Council, also commented: “We welcome the support given by Midlands Connect in tackling rural connectivity, something that many counties across the Midlands are challenged with.

“Lower population density often leads to patchy public transport in rural areas and for people without access to a car, this can lead to isolation. The platform proposed by Cenex has the potential to change our residents’ lives – particularly those who do not have their own vehicle or share with other members of their household, as well as those considering switching to an electric vehicle.

“Whether it’s a student going to college, an elderly person attending a medical appointment or someone just trying to get to work – this platform has the potential to do so much for Derbyshire residents and we are thankful for the opportunity given to us by Midlands Connect. We’re looking forward to developing the platform even further with Cenex until it is ready for roll-out”.