Last autumn, John Ramsbottom decided to replace his old hatchback petrol car. The 72-year-old retiree, who describes himself as environmentally conscious and keen to reduce his carbon footprint, decidedHe already has solar panels on his roof and a heat pump in his home and said swapping his car would be “another step towards a greener way of life”.
The cost of getting a charger installed varies depending on the wattage but usually ranges from £500 into the thousands. Councillor Grace Baynham, cabinet member for parks, highways and transport services at Stockport Council, said installing more electric vehicle chargers was “a key aspect” of the council’s climate strategy and that last year it had signed an agreement with charging provider Be.EV to install rapid and ultra rapid chargers in the borough.
“People are not going to get these solely to help the environment if it costs them more. Some might do it if the cost is parity with petrol but you aren’t going to get people on board unless it saves them money. There needs to be an incentive,” he says.