Bolton has fewer electric car charging points than two years ago

The number of public charging points for electric vehicles in Bolton has fallen in the last two years.

Bolton has bucked the trend in this regard, as it is one of only seven areas in the UK to see a fall in numbers.

Department for Transport figures show there were 24 publicly provided charging points in Bolton on January 1 – down from 28 two years ago.

Across the whole of the UK, 28,375 installed at the start of this year, up from 16,505 in January 2020.

Bolton residents have, however, installed 748 at-home charging points through the Electric Vehicle Homecharge Scheme as of January 1 – a 220 per cent increase over the last two years, further Department for Transport figures outline.

The scheme gives applicants a 75 per cent grant towards the cost of installing the charging point up to £350.

There have also been 80 charging points installed at workplaces.

A lack of charging points is putting people off from switching, Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders chief executive Mike Hawes claims.

"The automotive industry is up for the challenge of a zero-emission new car and van market by 2035", said Mr Hawes.

"Delivering this ambition needs more than automotive investment; it needs the commensurate commitment of all other stakeholders, especially the charging industry."

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