Staffordshire is set for a boom in electric cars by the end of the decade, according to new research.
Figures compiled by sub-national transport body Midlands Connect show the county could have more than 25,000 electric vehicles (EVs) on its roads by 2030.
For Stoke-on-Trent – surveyed separately – the projection is that the city could have more than 42,000 EVs on its roads within six years.
Announcing the trends at its EV Conference, Midlands Connect indicated 5,998 extra charging points would be needed in Staffordshire to keep pace.
Details of the research reveal that Staffordshire will see a 146 per cent increase in uptake in electric vehicles by the end of 2030, with projections predicting to rise from 10,245 EVs today to 25,230 on its roads.
Midlands Connect’s CEO Maria Machancoses said: “It’s clear Staffordshire is still on the brink of a boom in Electric Vehicles, that could see over 25,000 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 them 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.”
David Williams, Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport at Staffordshire County Council, said: “Working with our partners we have identified where the most appropriate places for charging points could be and how we will work with the private sector to deliver the project.
“We know our communities and we want to work with our local district and borough councils and the private sector to make sure we have a convenient and accessible network of charging points in Staffordshire that supports the move away from petrol and diesel vehicles.”
BEVs will need to have a more accessible price point to facilitate mass uptake