Council’s Ellesmere Port event to assist the transition to EVs

Cheshire West and Chester Council are making a determined effort to promote the transition to electric vehicles to both residents and businesses in the borough by hosting an EV Awareness Event in May.

The Council will be holding the free ‘understanding how to transition to electric vehicles in business and at home’ event at Ellesmere Port Civic Hall on Tuesday 21 May from 8am – 2pm. The first two hours will be a conference aimed specifically at businesses, after which the event will open to the public.

The council explain the motivation for such an event: ‘We are aware that many businesses and residents are looking to switch to electric vehicles (EV) as part of their net zero ambitions. But navigating this route is not easy and there are many details to understand.

‘The purpose of the event is to provide businesses and residents with essential advice around transitioning to EV. Key opportunities on the day will include test drives, both commercial and domestic, forthcoming vehicle releases and the opportunity to speak to those leading the transition to EV, such as SP Energy Networks, Energy Savings Trust and major local employer, Stellantis.’

Topics covered in conference sessions will be:

• EVs & business benefits
• Understanding EV charging options and grants for business
• Getting power to EVs
• Cheshire West and Chester Council charging update
• Transitioning to EVs – local business case studies
• How EVs are part of a business energy audit around renewables
• Transitioning to an EV factory

There will also be separate sessions after the conference closes, covering topics such as salary sacrifice and electric HGV transition.

Stellantis will also be presenting on how their Ellesmere Port plant has been remodelled to support EV production.

A number of local car dealers will be present and visitors will be encouraged to take a test drive in one of their electric vehicles. 

There will also be an exhibition element to the event, with around 20 local and leading EV-related businesses on hand in the exhibition hall to give specific advice and respond to questions. The council expect demand will be high for the event, so entry for the business breakfast element is by (free) ticket only and places are limited. Register for your ticket here. There is no need for tickets for entry to the event after 10am.

Cheshire West and Chester Council has recently secured a £2 million Electric Vehicle Charging Grant which they intend to use to install around 600 chargers, with approximately 300 in car parks and 300 on-street locations across the borough. The initial installation phase will start in late 2024 and is expected to take around five years.