Why Is Wakefield Getting 184 New Electric Vehicle Chargers From Blink?

Ever thought about getting an electric car but then hit a wall thinking, 'where on earth would I charge it?' Especially if you don't have a driveway. Well, for residents in Wakefield, that big question is about to get a whole lot easier to answer. On 07 October 2025, an announcement confirmed that the area is set for a massive boost in its electric vehicle charging infrastructure. A huge £680,000 investment is paving the way for 184 brand new public charging points over the next two years. This is all thanks to a new partnership between Wakefield Council and the charging company Blink, as part of a wider West Yorkshire initiative to make clean transport the new normal.

A big boost for electric vehicles in Wakefield

Let's talk about the money, because £680,000 is a serious investment. This isn't just one organisation's project; it’s a team effort. The funding is a mix, with Wakefield Council securing £282,000 through the West Yorkshire Combined Authority from a government body called the Office for Zero Emission Vehicles. The other side of this partnership, Blink Charging, is putting in around £397,000 to build and operate the network of chargers. This means a big upgrade to the local EV infrastructure without the cost falling entirely on the council.

So, what does this mean for the average person? It means more choice and less worry. The sight of more electric vehicle chargers popping up across the district will make the idea of switching to an EV feel much more real for many residents. It’s one thing to want to help the environment and reduce air pollution, but it’s another thing to know you can actually get from A to B without running out of juice.

Cllr George Ayre, who is Wakefield Council’s Cabinet Member for Environment and Climate Change, summed it up perfectly. He said:

“With more people switching to electric vehicles additional charging points are needed. This plan will increase the number of publicly available charging points at no cost to the Council. And it means that residents whose homes don’t have driveways will only be a few minutes’ walk from a charger.”

What kind of chargers are coming and where?

Not all charging points are created equal, and this plan gets that. The new rollout will include a mix of on-street and off-street chargers. What's the difference? Off-street chargers are the ones you might find in public car parks, while on-street chargers could be attached to lamp posts or have their own little spot on the pavement. This variety is key to building a robust charging network.

The main focus is on areas where options for charging are currently pretty slim, particularly places with limited off-street parking. Think of all the terraced streets in Wakefield. For those residents, running a cable from their house to their car is just not practical or safe. This initiative directly tackles that problem, making owning an electric vehicle a real possibility for thousands more people. The plan also includes a focus on making sure some of the new chargers are more accessible for disabled users, which is a brilliant step towards making the EV revolution inclusive for everyone in West Yorkshire.

This is about more than just a vehicle; it’s about making life easier. Cllr Matthew Morley, Wakefield Council’s Cabinet Member for Planning and Highways, added:

“Having more electric chargers in accessible places will support residents who want to switch to electrical vehicles. So, we are happy to receive this investment in our city and towns. This is among a range of actions we are taking, including having some of the lowest parking charges in West Yorkshire, which are making it easier and more affordable for people to get around the district.”

The people behind the plan

This entire project is a fantastic example of a public-private partnership. You’ve got the council and the wider West Yorkshire authority working hand-in-hand with a private company, Blink Charging. This kind of collaboration is essential for getting big infrastructure projects off the ground quickly. Blink isn't just installing the chargers; they will also operate the network, making sure everything runs smoothly.

The scheme is part of something called the Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (LEVI) funding initiative. It's basically a pot of government money designed to help local areas expand their public EV charging network, especially for people without off-street parking. This Wakefield project is just one piece of a much larger puzzle aimed at improving the electric vehicle infrastructure across the whole of West Yorkshire. It shows a real commitment to tackling climate change and improving the environment for everyone.

Alex Calnan, the Managing Director of Europe for Blink Charging, is clearly excited about the partnership. He said:

“Wakefield is taking purposeful action to improve public, residents and visitors access to EV charging, and Blink is proud to support this initiative. By delivering reliable, well-placed charging where it’s most needed, Wakefield and Blink will help make the EV adoption a more practical option for more residents. Expanding Wakefield’s charging network is an essential step forward in making clean transport part of everyday life across the district.”

A greener future for the whole region

At the end of the day, this is about more than just cars. It’s about building a better future. Every electric vehicle on the road is one less petrol or diesel vehicle pumping out fumes. This has a direct impact on local air quality, which is good news for everyone's health, especially children and the elderly. This investment in clean transport is a clear step towards tackling the bigger issues of climate change and protecting our environment.

The Mayor of West Yorkshire, Tracy Brabin, sees this as a major win for the region. She commented:

“It’s fantastic to have Blink on board as we make it easier for people to switch to electric vehicles. These new charge points closer to home will bring huge benefits to people without off-street parking and contribute to improving air quality in our communities. Investing in electric vehicle chargers that are safe, reliable and easy to use will help us build a greener, better-connected West Yorkshire that works for all.”

This initiative is a powerful signal that West Yorkshire is serious about its green ambitions. By building the right infrastructure, the council and its partners are removing one of the biggest barriers for people wanting to make the switch to an electric vehicle, helping to accelerate the move towards a cleaner, quieter, and healthier community.

How will it actually work?

So, you’re a resident in Wakefield, you’ve got your eye on a new electric car, and you’ve heard about these new chargers. How do you actually use them? It’s going to be pretty straightforward. The whole network will be operated through the Blink Charger app. This means you’ll just need your smartphone to find a charger, start a charging session, and pay for the electricity.

A really important point is that the pricing for this public charging network will be controlled across West Yorkshire to ensure it’s fair. This should give people peace of mind that they won't be hit with wildly different prices depending on where they plug in. The whole system is designed to be as user-friendly as possible.

The process will look something like this:

• Find a nearby public charging point using the Blink app.
• Park your electric vehicle in the designated bay.
• Use the app to connect and start your charging session.
• Go about your day while your vehicle gets the power it needs.

This growing network of chargers is set to make a real difference, giving more people the confidence to join the electric vehicle movement and contribute to better air quality and a healthier environment for everyone in Wakefield.