EV Charging Points Installed in Huge Rollout Across Region

A fleet of new electric vehicle charging points have been installed in Darlington as part of a huge rollout to improve facilities for drivers.

The £2million scheme will see the delivery of 136 chargers in 36 public car parks the length and breadth of the Tees Valley – boosting their numbers by 56.5% to 377 in total.

EB Charging Ltd has been procured to supply, operate, and maintain the points, which will help encourage people to switch from traditional petrol or diesel vehicles, and make it even easier for people who already own an electric car to charge it while out and about.

Five chargers have gone in on Winston Street’s northernmost car park, in Darlington, with Commercial Street West and two car parks on Park Place to receive 14 chargers between them.

The Feethams multi-storey, Kendrew Street West and Abbott’s Yard are also set to see devices installed in the coming weeks. Almost all the new chargers as part of this latest rollout are set to be installed across the Tees Valley before the end of February.

Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen said: “Electric vehicle charging points are already too thin on the ground across Teesside, Darlington and Hartlepool, and many that we do have are often broken down or inconvenient to get to.

“If we are really serious about being a region that’s driving the cleaner, safer and healthier industries of the future, we need to practice what we preach and increase the uptake of green vehicles. We cannot do that with our existing infrastructure, which is why we’re making a massive effort to get reliable, accessible charging points up and running.

“This is yet another investment into transport in our region, coming hot on the heels of development and upgrades to our train stations, walking and cycling routes and, much more, to give local people the transport network they deserve. These points also complement our work as the UK’s hydrogen vehicle test hub, pioneering other innovative alternatives to petrol and diesel and putting us at the forefront of the sector.”

Cllr Jonathan Dulston, Leader of Darlington Borough Council and TVCA Cabinet Member, added: “We’re pleased to support the roll out of extra electric vehicle charging points in Darlington and beyond.

“This is a practical step towards helping drivers make sustainable choices and consider an electric vehicle. As a council we’re committed to making alternative forms of transport – walking, cycling and electric vehicles – easier and safer to do.”

On Friday (9 December), TVCA Cabinet Members and the Mayor approved a Net Zero Strategy which included increasing the number of public Electric Vehicle charging points in the Tees Valley by 200% by 2025. This is part of a plan to deliver a Net Zero local transport network by 2036.

Full list of EV charger sites + target month ready for use

Darlington

• Winston St North – Mid December
• Commercial St West – Mid December
• Park Place East – Mid December
• Park Place West – End of December
• Kendrew Street West – End of December
• Feethams Multi-Storey Car Park – End of December
• Abbott’s Yard – End of January

Hartlepool

• Waldon Street – Mid December
• West Side – January
• Seaton Carew – Mid December
• National Royal Navy Museum – End of December
• Hartlepool Interchange – January/February

Middlesbrough

• Binks Street – Mid December
• Buxton Street – Mid December
• Zetland Multi-Storey Car Park – Mid December
• Captain Cook Multi-Storey Car Park – December/January
• Stewart Park – February
• Wood Street – January/February
• MIMA – TBC

Redcar and Cleveland

• Fountain Street, Guisborough – Mid December
• Fisherman’s Square, Redcar – Mid December
• North Road, Loftus – Mid December
• West Dyke Road, Redcar – January

Stockton-on-Tees

• Bishop Street – Mid December
• Yarm Station – January/February
• Billingham Forum – January/February
• Parliament Street – January/February
• Thompson Street – January/February
• Littleboy Recreational Area, Thornaby – January/February
• Cowpen Bewley – January/February
• Preston Park – January/February