Kirklees cash boost to install electric vehicle charging points
More than 20 areas in Kirklees could see electric vehicle (EV) charging points installed from this summer, thanks to a multi million-pound cash boost.Under the Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (LEVI) Fund, the region will receive £2.5m from the West Yorkshire Combined Authority to install public charging points by 2027.Further investment will come from private providers, taking the total earmarked for Kirklees to about £3.8m.Kirklees Council's cabinet will be asked to accept the funds next week, as it works towards a target of becoming net zero/climate ready by 2038.
The project would be delivered in two phases, with the aim of installing points at the first 23 locations from the summer, using £282,000 of the grant.Chargers must be installed in three priority locations before the other 20 can be put in, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.These are Spring Wood Street in Huddersfield, New Street Car Park in Honley and Shaw Cross Community Centre in Dewsbury.EV points would then be installed in Batley, Birstall, Dewsbury, Holmfirth, Huddersfield, Cleckheaton, Heckmondwike, Netherton, Denby Dale, Cowersley, Skelmanthorpe, Emley, Liversedge and Moldgreen.
After this, another phase covering on-street charging points, in areas of terraced houses where parking is tight, would be installed - with their locations to be confirmed and put in by 2026/7.The council said some parking income from pay-and-display car parks would be lost when the points were installed. But other income would come from the bays being leased for 15 years, giving the council £130 per standard charging bay, £160 per fast charging bay and £1,200 per rapid charging bay each year - an approximate annual income of £27,700 and £415,500 over 15 years.At the end of the lease period, the council can either negotiate a further lease, or ask the EV charging providers to remove equipment and "make good" on the sites, a report said.The council said although it did not intend to charge for the use of parking bayS while charging, the authority or EV leaseholders may eventually decide to introduce a payment or require a permit for the bays in future.
Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Auto Express
5 hours ago
- Auto Express
Audi Q6 Sportback e-tron review - new sexy roof, same solid EV
The Q6 e-tron comes across as Audi's most convincing electric car to date. The Sportback version gives improved EV range and a sportier shape for a modest reduction in practicality, and a £2,500 premium. The car is still very much in the familiar Audi vein - solid, secure, comfortable and classy but without necessarily entertaining the driver as much as some rivals can. Advertisement - Article continues below With its Sportback models Audi has absolutely nailed the commodification of the curvy car roofline. Right across the German brand's range customers are invited to sacrifice a couple of thousand pounds, and a little boot space, for the sleeker, coupe-like profile created when a car's roof curls gently down at the rear rather than diving abruptly off the cliff of a tailgate. The Audi Q6 Sportback e-tron is simply another variation on that popular theme. It's expected that around 20 per cent of the UK buyers going for an Audi Q6 e-tron mid-size SUV will choose a Sportback. They'll get a somewhat sexier roofline that's achieved by reworking the entire top of the car. The windscreen slopes more dramatically than on the standard Q6 SUV, facilitated by more steeply angled A-pillars. The roof itself is 37mm lower, and above the heads of the rear seat passengers it begins its gentle arch down to a subtle spoiler on the tiny boot lid. Skip advert Advertisement - Article continues below View XC40 View Q4 e-tron Does it look better? I'll let you be the judge. I'm not a fan of the whole coupe SUV experiment mainly because, to my eyes, the classic coupe design themes depend on a low, ground-hugging car shape to work properly. Perched atop a chunky, high-riding SUV they often look ungainly. Thousands of car buyers can't be wrong though and I will say that the Q6 Sportback is one of the better executed coupe SUV designs out there - its wide stance, powerful haunches and short overhangs helping the cause. Let's get back to a more factual analysis though. In choosing the Sportback body style, Audi Q6 e-tron buyers are paying an extra £2,500 over the standard 5-door SUV. Also in the minus column go a 15-litre reduction in boot capacity and less headroom in the cabin. Advertisement - Article continues below On the plus side, the Q6 Sportback e-tron is more aerodynamic than the SUV and that yields a maximum WLTP combined range of 334 miles in the entry-level model compared to 325 miles in the standard Q6 equivalent. How you view that trade-off will determine whether you're a Sportback kinda person or not. Once you've settled on the Sportback bodystyle there are four powertrain options to choose from. The Sport version has 249bhp while the Performance has 302bhp. Both of these cars are rear-wheel drive and the Performance model is expected to be the biggest seller in the UK. It has the larger 94.9kWh battery (the Sport's battery is 75.8kWh) and delivers the Q6's biggest driving range, a highly impressive 402 miles. Skip advert Advertisement - Article continues below Above that are the four-wheel drive 'quattro' cars, all with the larger battery and an electric motor on each axle. The standard quattro has 383bhp and the SQ6 Sportback e-tron quattro offers 483bhp; the driving ranges are 390 miles and 367 miles respectively. Big battery models can charge at up to 260kW (225kW for the smaller battery) so you could add 164 miles to the Performance model in 10 minutes with the right charger. Audi has thoughtfully included charging sockets on both sides of the car, too. Although, only one accepts rapid charging. All the Q6 e-tron models can also achieve a temporary 30bhp boost to their max power figures by way of the standard launch control mode. Using this, and a long enough piece of road, the official 0-62mph times range between 7.6s in the Sport and 4.3s in the SQ6, so no Q6 e-tron sportback could be described as slow. Advertisement - Article continues below We tried the rear-wheel drive Performance variant and the quattro on the super-smooth roads around Munich in Germany, and the Q6 comes across as a very capable and comfortable machine in both guises. The standard air suspension mostly served-up a composed ride over undulations and absorbed what bumps there were on our test route very well. Things can get a little busy at higher speeds where the Q6 has a tendency to wiggle from side-to-side where the opposing wheels encounter different surfaces or cambers. Skip advert Advertisement - Article continues below There's little body roll but the high kerb weight (2,200kg in the 'lighter' Performance model) is obvious in the planted but somewhat leaden-footed feel through direction changes. We found that the steering feel is better in the Performance model, which seemed slightly less direct around the straight ahead than the quattro. This made it that bit easier to place on the motorway without constant inputs. Generally, the steering is well judged, light around town then gaining weight at speed and in corners, but with no feedback to communicate what the wheels are up to. Grip seems plentiful with no indication that the powertrain in the RWD cars has enough about it to unsettle the car in dry conditions. The quattro feels even more secure, its all-wheel drive more than cancelling out its extra power. Advertisement - Article continues below The brakes are very powerful and really inspire confidence once you get used to the stopping power. The adaptive brake energy regeneration system, that alters the level of automatic braking according to the route and driving conditions, can make the response you get when lifting off the throttle a little unpredictable, though. We found it best to select 'B' mode - which gives true one-pedal driving by gradually bringing the car to a complete stop - around town and disable adaptive braking the rest of the time. If you want to persevere with it, the strength of the braking effect can be controlled by the steering wheel paddles. Refinement is impressive, the electric motor barely ever audible from inside the car and wind noise well suppressed until you get up to autobahn speeds. There's also very little road noise other than on really rough surfaces. Skip advert Advertisement - Article continues below From the driver's seat of the Q6 you feel quite enclosed by the wide centre console, the high dashboard and the relatively slim windscreen aperture. There's an unusual raised lip along the bottom edge of this windscreen that compounds this letterbox effect and if you like sitting low in the car, it means you can't see the bonnet at all. That removes a useful point of reference when threading through gaps. Advertisement - Article continues below The Q6 sits above the Q4 in Audi's range but it doesn't feel significantly more spacious inside than the smaller model. It's the first Audi to use the new PPE architecture that was developed with Porsche to also underpin the electric Porsche Macan and there's definitely a sporty feel to the interior of the Sportback, thanks in part to its slim glass area. The rear bench can seat two adults and has just about enough legroom for someone six-foot tall to sit behind a similarly tall driver. There's space under the front seats for your feet but the low roof is going to put anyone tall in contact with the headlining. The middle seat is on the slim side. The boot has a 511-litre capacity and what you lose in the Sportback conversion is really just height - the floor space is the same. There's a deep storage space beneath the floor that's easily big enough for the charging cables but if you've got a full load of luggage, there's also the 64-litre frunk (part of the optional Storage Pack) under the bonnet where you could put them. Fold the seats down and there's a 1,373-litre space to make use of. Advertisement - Article continues below Skip advert Advertisement - Article continues below Quality is hard to fault with Audi's usual high class materials in evidence and the display screens ( an 11.9' instrument panel and a 14.5-inch touchscreen) offering crisp, clear graphics. The complex menu systems take some getting used to but there are shortcut buttons to disable the driver assistance tech and to choose the different driving modes. In terms of trim levels, the range opens with the Sport at £64,000. This has 19' wheels, sports seats, LED lighting all round and a heat pump to boost cold weather range. S line trim has 20' wheels and a load of sporty styling add-ons for £3,000 more. Then you have the fully-loaded Edition 1 for another £5,000. It gets 21' wheels and sports suspension, LED Matrix lights, and an extra touchscreen for the front passenger. Strangely, it's also the only version with electric front seat adjustment. The SQ6 flagship models only come in Edition 1 spec for over £95,000 but the other powertrain options can be had in any trim. As you can no doubt imagine, the costs mount-up quite quickly as you climb the range, but no premium electric SUV comes cheap. The closely related Porsche Macan Electric starts at £69,000 and will be a tempting alternative for Q6 e-tron Sportback customers. Otherwise the spacious Polestar 3 starts at around £70,000. Model: Audi Q6 Sportback e-tron Performance Edition 1 Price: £73,975 Powertrain: Single E-motor and 94.9kWh battery Power/torque: 302bhp / 485Nm Transmission: single-speed, rear-wheel drive 0-62mph: 6.7 seconds Top speed: 130mph EV range: 402 miles Size (L/W/H): 4,771/1,965/1,665mm On sale: Now Interested in an Audi Q6? Compare deals on Audi's EV SUV and its rivals with our Find A Car service... Share this on Twitter Share this on Facebook Email Citroen is plotting a new 2CV – but the risks are huge Citroen is plotting a new 2CV – but the risks are huge We talk to Citroen bosses on plans to reboot its icon – and do they go retro or futuristic? New Kia Sportage breaks cover and it's sleeker than ever New Kia Sportage breaks cover and it's sleeker than ever Full specification and details have been announced for the UK version of Kia's big-selling mid-size SUV Best mid-size SUVs to buy 2025 - our expert pick of the top options Best mid-size SUVs to buy 2025 - our expert pick of the top options Mid-size SUVs are hugely popular in the UK, and these are the very best of the current crop Best cars & vans 4 Jun 2025
Glasgow Times
17 hours ago
- Glasgow Times
Government makes driveway law change set to affect millions
No more planning applications are needed for EV charging point installations as the government cuts red tape. Future of Roads Minister, Lilian Greenwood, announced drivers and businesses will no longer need to submit a planning application to install public or private EV sockets. EV owners will be able to unlock savings of up to £1,100 a year compared to running a petrol or diesel car. 🇬🇧 Great to visit @astonmartin yesterday — where British engineering meets world-class innovation. 🚗 Took the DBX707 for a spin 🌍 UK trade deals with 🇺🇸 🇪🇺 🇮🇳 to safeguard 150,000 jobs in auto & steel 🔋 £2.3bn Govt boost to power the switch to EVs — Lilian Greenwood (@LilianGreenwood) June 6, 2025 The planning changes also apply to workplace and public chargepoints, meaning businesses will be able to install new sockets faster and for less money, increasing the number of public chargepoints. Ms Greenwood said: "We're cutting down on paperwork to power up the EV revolution, so that drivers, businesses and those looking to make the switch will have more chargepoints to power from, and less red tape to deal with." Vicky Edmonds, chief executive of EVA England, said: "Making it easier to install both public and private charging infrastructure is essential to helping more drivers switch to electric." She warned "further action is needed" as "drivers without driveways still face barriers to affordable, convenient charging". Recommended reading: She added: "We urge the Government to increase its support of the rollout of cross-pavement charging and extend legal rights to tenants and leaseholders, so all drivers can access and benefit from cheaper and more convenient charging." Jack Cousens, head of roads policy for The AA, believes "removing the planning rules" will help "accelerate installations". He further added: "The crucial element is ensuring grid connection in a timely manner. This is especially important in rural locations and areas where there is no dedicated off-street parking." Rocio Concha, director of policy and advocacy at consumer group Which? said it is "an important step in the right direction".
Auto Blog
a day ago
- Auto Blog
Most Expensive Tesla Models Compared: The $100k EV Battle
Only One Top Tesla Can Win Tesla prices may have come down in recent years, but there is still no sign of its $25k EV, and the manufacturer still has at least two models hovering at just below the six-figure mark. These most expensive new Teslas find themselves competing with an array of high-performance or luxury models from prestigious German brands, but how do they compare with each other? Here's how the two priciest Teslas match up. 0:05 / 0:09 2025 Ford Maverick: 4 reasons to love it, 2 reasons to think twice Watch More Most Expensive Teslas: Model X Plaid Vs. Cyberbeast The two most expensive new Tesla models both cost $99,990 each, and they're the Model X Plaid SUV and the most powerful version of the Cybertruck – the Cyberbeast pickup truck. In its current form, the Model X Plaid is one of Tesla's oldest models, while the Cyberbeast is a much newer product. A difference in age aside, both of these Teslas have a set of on-paper stats that leave them without any true rivals, such has been Tesla's mastery of high-performance EVs. The key difference between the two is obvious: One is an SUV and one is a pickup. If you need to seat six people, the Model X Plaid is an easy pick. But if you want to tow more and have the flexibility to carry larger or awkwardly shaped items, the Cybertruck is better. The Model X's only party trick isn't always visible – we're talking about those Falcon Wing rear doors, which still turn heads when open. However, the rest of the SUV has begun to date, which is no surprise since the Model X went into production a decade ago. The lines are clean and stealthy, but it's no longer a particularly exciting SUV to look at. The Cybertruck makes much more of a statement, for better or worse, but we doubt it'll age as gracefully as the Model X. Being a pickup, it has a 6' x 4' bed with a standard motorized hardtop, various power outlets, and full-length bed lamps. If you want your expensive Tesla finished in a brighter color, you'll have to go for the Model X, as the Cybertruck sticks with its groundbreaking cold-rolled stainless-steel alloy body panels. Autoblog Newsletter Autoblog brings you car news; expert reviews and exciting pictures and video. Research and compare vehicles, too. Sign up or sign in with Google Facebook Microsoft Apple By signing up I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy . You may unsubscribe from email communication at anytime. Interior And Features: Model X Seats More, But Cybertruck Can Carry More Stuff Both EVs have Tesla's minimalist interior layout, centered around a large touchscreen. The Model X has softer lines and panels, and its Cream interior color is warmer than any option available on the Cybertruck. The Model X Plaid has three displays, including one for rear passengers, along with tri-zone climate control, a 22-speaker sound system, and heated seats for every passenger. It also seats six across three rows. The Cybertruck has a darker, even more spartan cabin, especially in standard Tactical Grey. Only a thin ambient lighting strip breaks up the exceedingly dark environment. Finishes are a bit more rugged, from the suede textile trim to the stainless accents. It has a 15-speaker sound system, heated seats front and back, and dual HD touchscreens. Rear-seat space is good, in spite of the dramatically sloping roofline. Both these vehicles are practical, with large frunks and useful interior storage. There are a few differences, though, such as the Cybertruck having a bigger frunk (7.1 to 6.5 cubic feet), and the obvious differences behind the second row. The six-seater Model X Plaid has 15 cubes behind the third row, 33 behind the second row, and 85.8 behind the first row. In the Cybertruck, there are 56.2 cubes (enclosed) in the bed, another 3.4 in a lower storage space, and 54.2 cubes behind the front seats with the rear cushions folded up. This actually gives the Cybertruck more enclosed cargo space with two occupants, plus it has the versatility to carry much taller objects in the open bed. Performance: Two Of The Very Best Despite being vastly different vehicles, these expensive Teslas are remarkably closely matched in a straight line. The tri-motor Model X Plaid produces 1,020 horsepower and will hit 60 mph in just 2.5 seconds, before completing the quarter-mile in 9.9 seconds. Even years later, those are staggering numbers for a three-row SUV that weighs 5,248 lbs. Somehow, the Cyberbeast nearly matches the Model X Plaid to 60 (2.6 seconds), despite having less power from its three motors (845 hp) and being significantly heavier (6,863 lbs). Based on independent testing, the Model X Plaid's extra power and smoother body come into play at higher speeds, though – the Cyberbeast needs 11 seconds to complete the quarter-mile and will top out at 130 mph, as opposed to 163 mph for the Model X Plaid. In day-to-day driving, both EVs are fast enough to leave behind other traffic in a flash. The Cybertruck is a bit of a revelation for a pickup, with a steer-by-wire system and rear-wheel steering making it feel startlingly agile for such a heavy vehicle. Source: Tesla Cyberbeast Is Better For Range, Towing, And Off-Roading The small edge the Model X has in acceleration off the mark is overshadowed by the wide spread of capabilities of the Cyberbeast. Whereas the Model X Plaid has an EPA-certified range of 314 miles on 20-inch wheels, Tesla claims the Cyberbeast can hit 320 miles on a full charge. The Model X Plaid is almost guaranteed to be more efficient, but that will be confirmed when the EPA releases MPGe ratings for the Cyberbeast. The Plaid can tow up to 5,000 lbs, but the Cyberbeast crushes it with a maximum towing capacity of 11,000 lbs. With chunkier tires and up to 16 inches of ground clearance, the Cybertruck should be a much more capable off-road tool, too. Source: Tesla So, Which Expensive Tesla Is Best? We can't say one of these EVs is definitively better than the other, given that they compete in different segments. The Model X is ultimately quicker, expected to be more efficient, and can seat six. But the Cyberbeast has a longer list of advantages. It's much more visually impactful, and although it can only seat five, it provides more overall cargo space and versatility. The claimed range is better, it's going to feel just as quick up to the legal speed limit, and towing is vastly superior. Plus, it's the clear winner if you plan to do any off-roading at all. If the styling doesn't turn you off, the Cyberbeast does a better job of justifying its high price than the Model X Plaid. In both cases, be prepared for the heavy depreciation that blights EVs, especially expensive ones like these. About the Author Karl Furlong View Profile
