Rochdale one of 137 local authorities to have no more than 10 charging points for electric cars

Rochdale is one of 137 local authorities in England to have 10 or fewer charging locations for electric or plug-in hybrid cars, new data from the BBC Shared Data Unit reveals.

Locally, there are 232 registered electric or plug-in hybrid vehicles registered, with just 10 charging points, the joint second-lowest in Greater Manchester on level with Bolton behind Tameside.

Manchester has the most in the region, with 48 charging locations for 425 vehicles.

Vehicle emissions are one of the biggest contributors to air pollution and climate change and so the government is pushing towards a revolutionary change in how we travel by encouraging drivers to opt for an ultra-low or zero emission vehicle.

This comes after the government launched the Road to Zero Strategy in 2018 to “lead the world in zero emission vehicle technology.” As part of the strategy the government said at least half of new cars (and 40% of new vans) should be ultra-low emission by 2030.

By 2040, all new cars and vans should also be electric or effectively zero-emission and new petrol and diesel cars will be phased out — but campaigners and MPs have called for a more ambitious 2032 target instead — a target which has already been rejected by the government.

There are still many obstacles faced by electric and plug-in hybrid drivers, including:

• A lack of standardisation with charging points - there is a mix of connectors, charge points and tariffs
• Regional networks with drivers requiring different memberships (a card and/or app for access)
• Finding locations (charging points generally in car parks and in random locations)
• Occupied charging stations
• Slow charging times (varies per car model and charging type)

A spokesperson for the Climate Change Committee said: “Transport is the most polluting sector of the economy, contributing around a third of total UK greenhouse gas emissions each year. That’s a concern if the UK is to meet its legally-binding commitments to tackle climate change: emissions from cars, vans, lorries, trains must come down.

“We welcome many of the initiatives in the Government’s Road to Zero strategy, however our detailed assessment shows that there is far more work to do if the Government is to clean up the UK’s transport sector in the most cost-effective way. That includes a new vision for how people travel in future to promote cycling, walking and public transport whilst deterring car and van traffic.

“It also means ramping up the number of electric vehicles (EVs) on our roads by 2030, ending the sale of conventional petrol and diesel vehicles by 2035, and addressing long wait times for the supply of EVs. Widespread charging infrastructure is essential too – we welcome commitments to improve the availability of charging points in Road to Zero – but further research is needed to assess their reliability and distribution. Additional measures to reduce emissions from trucks are also needed, including improved logistics and driving techniques which deliver better fuel efficiency.

“Taken together, these measures can begin to reverse the upward trend in transport emissions over recent years, and change the way the UK travels for good.”

Andrew Storey, head of highways at Rochdale Borough Council, said: “We currently have several electric charging points at a variety of different locations across Rochdale town centre. Looking forward, we will be working with TfGM to upgrade at least one charger at the town hall to a rapid charger and install a new rapid charger in the Rochdale Leisure Centre car park.

“We are continually monitoring suggestions for new locations and are working with the Greater Manchester Combined Authority on the Clean Air Plan, which will significantly reduce air pollution across the region.”

The website Charge Your Car has useful information for drivers, including a map of each charger available and its current status:

• www.chargeyourcar.org.uk