Plugging into the future: Cumberland’s electric vehicle charging programme moves forward
Cumberland Council has secured £3.465 million in government funding to help expand electric vehicle (EV) charging across the Cumberland area.
The funding, awarded in April 2025 through the Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (LEVI) programme, will support the installation of new, publicly accessible EV charge points on streets, in council car parks and at community locations throughout the county. The programme is funded by the Office for Zero Emission Vehicles (OZEV).
Alongside this, the council has received £703,000 in pilot funding to support innovative approaches to EV charging. This funding is partly being used to deliver the cross‑pavement ‘Gully’ project, which helps residents without driveways safely charge electric vehicles at home.
Cumberland Council has also been awarded funding in government support to establish and run a dedicated EV team. This team is responsible for planning where charging points should go, overseeing their installation and managing contracts to keep the network running effectively.
As the Highway Authority for the area, the council is responsible for managing and maintaining EV charging infrastructure on public roads and in council‑owned car parks. Progress on the LEVI programme was presented to the Highways and Transport Strategic Board on 23 April 2026, where members noted how the programme is moving forward.
The LEVI programme supports the council’s Electric Vehicle Strategy, which focuses on making charging more accessible for residents without off‑street parking, supporting rural communities where private investment may be limited, and ensuring fair access to charging facilities across Cumberland.
To deliver this, Cumberland Council is progressing a long‑term contract for the installation, operation and maintenance of EV charging infrastructure for public use. This will cover both on‑street charging and charging at car parks and community sites, reflecting the different needs of each location.
Under the current plans, at least 671 charge point sites are expected to be delivered within the first five years of the programme, with priority given to areas where access to charging is currently limited.
Leader of Cumberland Council, Councillor Mark Fryer, said:
“This funding is a significant investment in Cumberland’s future and will help ensure communities across the county are better supported as the transition to electric vehicles continues.
“By taking a planned and practical approach to charging infrastructure, the council is working to improve accessibility, support economic growth and help meet our long‑term climate ambitions.”
Cumberland Councillor Denise Rollo, Executive Member for Sustainable, Resilient and Connected Places, added:
“The LEVI programme will play an important role in expanding access to electric vehicle charging, particularly for residents without driveways and in rural communities.
“Progress on the programme has been noted by the Highways and Transport Strategic Board, and work is continuing to move delivery forward in line with our Electric Vehicle Strategy, focusing on where charging is needed most.”
For more information about Cumberland Council’s Electric Vehicles information, please visit the website: Electric vehicles | Cumberland Council.