Essex County Council has launched a six-week consultation on a new Essex Electric Vehicle Charge Point Strategy.

The strategy runs alongside the council’s Safer, Greener, Healthier campaign, which aims to encourage sustainable transport options, such as walking, cycling and bus travel.

Due to the expected rise in electric vehicles, the strategy aims to improve access to charging points in Essex.

Electric vehicles can play an important role in reducing emissions, improving air quality and achieving the council’s net zero goals.

The new strategy focuses on a simple vision of providing the ‘right charger in the right place’. It sets out a plan to ensure residents, businesses and visitors to Essex can access a high-quality electric vehicle charging network.

Councillor Lee Scott, Cabinet Member for Highways Maintenance and Sustainable Transport, said: “In Essex, around half of all CO2 emissions are from transport. Supporting the shift towards electric vehicles will be really important in achieving our net zero goals and improving air quality in the county.

“If the current trend continues, about 70 per cent of car and van CO2 emissions could be cut by 2040 through switching to electric vehicles. We cannot let infrastructure be a barrier to achieving that.

“We know transitioning to electric vehicles will only get us so far towards decarbonising road traffic. We are working hard to create a Safer, Greener and Healthier Essex by reducing the need to travel and encouraging people to shift their journeys to sustainable options.”

There are already 300 registered public charging points for electric vehicles in the county, but it is predicted up to 6,000 will be needed by 2030.

Residents and businesses are invited to take part in the consultation, which is open until 30 July. For more information, please visit Essex Electric Vehicle Charge Point Strategy.