Banbury gets ten new e-vehicle chargers in a town centre council car park from today (Wednesday)

Banbury e-vehicle owners can take advantage of ten new chargers in a town centre council car park from today (Wednesday).
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Cherwell District Council’s Windsor Street car park in Banbury has had ten charging points installed, while at Curtis Place car park in Kidlington a further 12 are being connected.

The fast chargers will be powered on for public use today (Wednesday, May 18) in Banbury and May 20 in Kidlington. They are ideal for either a quick top-up or a full, overnight charge. Parking is free after 6pm until 8am the next day at both car parks.

Councillor Dan Sames, Cherwell District Council’s Lead Member for Clean and Green, said: “We firmly believe that a widespread charging network will help fuel the move away from fossil fuel powered cars. We opened the first park and charge in Bicester at Cattle Market, which is already well used. These new sites extend charging facilities further within Cherwell district.

The new e-vehicle chargers in the Windsor Street Car Park, BanburyThe new e-vehicle chargers in the Windsor Street Car Park, Banbury
The new e-vehicle chargers in the Windsor Street Car Park, Banbury

“What’s more, these chargers were designed and built from scratch by Bicester-based SME Zeta Specialist Lighting. They are an excellent example of the innovation and skilled employment that the town, with its strong links to motoring and aviation, is capable of delivering.

“We estimate that by 2030 one in five cars on our roads will be powered by electricity. Making use of council-owned car parks to facilitate adoption by local people who perhaps can’t easily charge at home is one way of driving this positive change.”

It’s estimated that 30 - 40 per cent of Oxfordshire residents don’t have a driveway or private parking suitable for home chargers, making public car parks an important solution.

People will be able to pay using contactless payments; no membership is required. They are run by EZ-Charge and built to be reliable and convenient for users.

These are similar e-vehicle chargers in the Cattle Market car park in BicesterThese are similar e-vehicle chargers in the Cattle Market car park in Bicester
These are similar e-vehicle chargers in the Cattle Market car park in Bicester

The chargers have a seven to 22 kilowatt output, enough to provide a C60 mile range with two hours’ charging, depending on the model of car.

Park and charge is £5.4 million project funded primarily by the Office for Zero Emission Vehicles through Innovate UK and the On-Street Residential Chargepoint Scheme. Commercial partners have provided the rest of the funding for the project, meaning no costs to the council.

Further charge points are being prepared at Calthorpe Street West in Banbury in the coming weeks.