Electric vehicle rapid charger on Mildenhall Industrial Estate powers 3,400 miles in a month
An electric vehicle rapid charger on an industrial estate has been used nearly every day since its installation in late August.
The charger on the Mildenhall Industrial Estate allows drivers to power up their electric vehicles in around 30 minutes, and has so far powered more than 3,400 miles.
The installation of the charger in James Carter Road comes a few months after the council switched on a rapid charger in All Saints Car Park in Newmarket and another in School Yard East in Bury St Edmunds, following investment from Highways England.
Councillor John Griffiths, leader of West Suffolk Council, said: “This latest charger, which is primarily for the businesses on the Mildenhall Industrial Estate, is part of our continuing commitment to help tackle climate change.
"We know that electric vehicles produce no tailpipe emissions compared to petrol or diesel which produce a whole list of toxic pollutants within their fumes.
"Those fumes can have a huge impact on people’s health – and that costs the country tens of millions of pounds each year in health and social care costs, not to mention the sick days lost to UK business.
“That is why it we continue to support making electric vehicle travel a viable option for our residents and businesses and work with partners to secure the investment in electric vehicle infrastructure, giving people the confidence to switch from petrol or diesel vehicles.”
Fuel costs for electric vehicles are around a third of the cost of fossil fuels used in petrol and diesel cars.
By switching to electric vehicles people are helping reduce air pollution which Public Health England says cost the country £42.88 million in health and social care costs in 2017.
Drivers can pay for the electricity they purchase at the charging stations via contactless card or use their existing Polar network account.
As well as the rapid chargers, the council also has five electric vehicle chargers in its car parks in Bury St Edmunds and surrounding towns and villages.
Additionally, the council is also running a pilot scheme with EV chargers connected to lampposts at 22 West Suffolk locations , allowing residents to recharge their electric vehicle overnight, close to their home.
For more details on other council environment work, visit www.westsuffolk.gov.uk/environment .
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