Wolverhampton to make taxi charge points accessible to public

New electric charging points specifically for taxis in the City of Wolverhampton are soon to be made accessible to the public.

The city of Wolverhampton Council was handed £478,000 government funding in March to help fulfil a long term plan to grow the number of electric taxis in the city.

The Office for Low Emission Vehicles' (OLEV) has since confirmed the electric charging network can also be made available for public use.

The funds mean that work can start in the city to build the infrastructure.

Twenty-four charging points will be installed over the next three years, with the aid of match funding from a private sector partner.

Cabinet member for city environment, Councillor Steve Evans, said: "We are working closely with the taxi drivers in the city on this project and we are delighted OLEV has allowed us to broaden the scheme out for public use.

"Electric vehicles bring many benefits. They improve air quality and public health, make the city more attractive, support the economy of the Midlands, and support innovation and transformation, as well as help reduce carbon emissions.

"The idea of bringing on board a private sector partner also means we don't anticipate any need to use council funds."