Yasmin Qureshi, MP for Bolton South and Walkden, has welcomed news that Bolton will be leading a major trial of innovative electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure, helping to pave the way for a greener, cleaner future.
Bolton Council is set to receive £692,000 from the City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement (CRSTS) to support the roll-out of two cutting-edge EV charging solutions: flush-fitting charge points; and pedestal charging units. These trials aim to make EV charging more accessible for residents, particularly those without off-street parking, and to reduce street clutter whilst supporting the borough’s efforts to tackle air pollution and carbon emissions.
This comes after the Greater Manchester Bee Network Committee unanimously approved the drawdown request.
Speaking about the investment, Yasmin Qureshi MP said:
“This is fantastic news for Bolton, and I’m proud to see our town leading the way with smart, forward-thinking technology that helps our community and our environment.
Making electric vehicle charging easier and more accessible is vital to speeding up the transition to clean transport. Whether it’s flush-fitting chargers discreetly built into the pavement or shared pedestal units on residential streets, these trials will make a real difference for local people and set a great example for the rest of Greater Manchester to follow.
The pilot will see 4 to 5 flush-fitting charging hubs installed across the borough, with 6 to 10 charge points per hub. These innovative units integrate directly into the pavement, with residents using a portable charging lance and subscribing to a user-friendly billing model. The council will also explore connecting some units directly to residents’ home electricity supplies for personal use.
In parallel, 10 to 15 pedestal charging points will be trialled in high-demand areas with limited off-street parking, offering faster charging options and improving convenience for households relying on on-street parking.
Yasmin Qureshi added:
“Cleaner air, lower fuel costs, and less congestion – these are the benefits we can unlock by investing in the right infrastructure. This trial is a great opportunity for Bolton to show how modern technology can improve everyday life whilst tackling the climate emergency.”
The proposals have been independently reviewed and judged to have strong strategic value, despite being an early-stage pilot. A further update will be brought to the Bee Network Committee in September as part of the wider Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (LEVI) programme.