Following the launch of London’s Ultra Low Emissions zone, in the Capital’s bid to clean up toxic air, we look at the success of Milton Keynes’ electric vehicle take up and infrastructure – which has seen the BBC name the City as having the highest number of EV charge points in the country.*
Following the launch of a five-year programme in 2017, which set out Milton Keynes’ bid to become a Go Ultra Low City, Milton Keynes now boasts over 300 charge points, including 50 rapid charge points, and, according to the EV Experience Centre (EVEC), recorded 100% uptake on new electric vehicles sold in the Milton Keynes area, when compared to the national average in 2018.
With some of the most established EV charging infrastructure, per capita, across the whole of Europe, installing the electric vehicle charge points within cultural venues throughout Milton Keynes, was a key objective for the Pedalling Culture initiative.
Pedalling Culture was created last year to inspire residents of Milton Keynes to discover the rich and varied culture the city has to offer, while connecting venues to sustainable transport routes.
As part of a £60,000 investment, over the course of Pedalling Culture’s 18 month campaign, electric vehicle charge points have been installed at Bletchley Park, The Stables, with provisions made for Milton Keynes Museum and the City Discovery Centre at Bradwell Abbey.
This brings the total number of cultural venues and libraries throughout the City with the correct EV infrastructure to almost 60%. Pedalling Culture, together with EVEC, also commissioned wrapping electric vehicles with vinyl wraps designed by artists to promote the sustainable message.
“The Pedalling Culture initiative was created to encourage residents and visitors to explore and discover the rich culture Milton Keynes has to offer,” explains Helen Thakrar, Project Manager for Pedalling Culture. “As part of the project’s green agenda to develop sustainable transportation to each of these cultural venues, our relationship with EVEC was an integral element. Electric vehicle usage is growing and it is essential that our cultural venues have the infrastructure in place to meet this, and the sustainable goals of Milton Keynes.”
*BBC’s Shared Data Unit
