Multi-million-pound investment set to transform electric vehicle charging across Stoke-on-Trent

Stoke-on-Trent is set to see a major expansion of its electric vehicle charging network following a multi-million-pound funding commitment aimed at preparing the city for a cleaner, more sustainable transport future.

Hundreds of new charging points will be installed over the next five years as part of a £3 million drive to support people making the switch to electric vehicles. The plans are set out in the council’s newly published Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Strategy, which outlines how public charging provision will be scaled up as electric vehicle ownership increases.

Meeting Growing Demand

Latest figures show there are currently around 2,600 electric vehicles registered in Stoke-on-Trent. By 2030, it is estimated that 25 per cent of all cars on the city’s roads will be electric, placing growing demand on local charging facilities.

At present, the city has 115 public charging points, most of which are located at service stations and retail parks. To meet future demand, the strategy identifies a need to increase this figure to more than 800 charging locations within the next five years.

Funding and Innovation

Funding of £2.4 million has been allocated to the city by the Office of Zero Emission Vehicles through the Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (LEVI) programme. This funding will be used to install and commercialise accessible public charging points, particularly in residential areas where private off-street parking is limited.

An additional £480,000 of LEVI funding has been secured to deliver cross pavement charging solutions. These systems, often referred to as cable gullies, allow residents without driveways to charge electric vehicles safely at home without running cables across pavements.

Key Projects and Public Support

The strategy, which has been approved by cabinet at Stoke-on-Trent City Council, sets out several key delivery projects:

• LEVI Pilot Scheme: Delivery of at least 60 on-street and public car park charging sockets by 2027.
• Large-Scale Capital Project: Expected to provide more than 1,000 charging sockets across the city.

Public feedback played a key role in shaping the plans during a consultation in late 2025. The results showed:

• 81% of respondents approved the overall delivery programme.
• 66% supported residential charging in on-street and local car park locations.
• 88% backed faster charging options in public car parks.

“We’re taking a proactive approach to ensure the city’s EV charging network is ready as the demand for zero emission vehicles increase and to make sure the network we put in place is accessible to all residents and businesses. We’re also prioritising areas with poor air quality, neighbourhoods where off-street parking isn’t an option, and communities that have been underserved for too long.”

— Councillor Finlay Gordon-McCusker, Cabinet Member for Transport, Infrastructure and Regeneration

Residents interested in cross pavement charging gullies or recommending locations for new points can contact the EV team at LEVI@stoke.gov.uk.