Boost for electric vehicle users as new EV chargers installed in rural areas

Harborough District Council has worked with local business, Plug me in, to install chargers at Station Road, Lutterworth (one charger), Orchard Road, Broughton Astley (one charger) and School Road, Kibworth (two chargers). These are all 22kw chargers and replace less powerful 7kw units. 

New chargers have also been installed in two villages: at North Memorial Hall, Main Street, Tugby (one charger) and Allerton Project Visitor Centre, Loddington (two chargers). These will be owned by the local parish and community organisation. 

Cllr Darren Woodiwiss, Cabinet Lead for Climate Change and Neighbourhood Services, said: “Giving EV drivers options for charging their vehicles more conveniently is an important part of our climate emergency action plan that’s geared to cutting Harborough district’s carbon emissions.  

“These new chargers give local residents more options and convenience and we hope they will also encourage others to consider making the switch to an EV to help cut their carbon footprint. 

“We also hope EV drivers visiting our district for business, tourism or other purposes will use these rural charging sites and perhaps spend more time in the district as a result, helping to support the local economy and keep our air cleaner.” 

The cost of using the new chargers is just 43p per kWh. 

£150,000 funding from the government’s Rural Prosperity Fund, which is a part of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, was allocated to pay for the chargers.  

Harborough District Council is also working with the other district and borough councils through the Green Living Leicestershire Partnership to deliver more rural chargers across Leicestershire in 2026. 

Funding has been allocated to the partnership from the government’s Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Fund and the Pooled Business Rates Fund which is managed by the Leicestershire Business and Skills Partnership. 

The increased number of rural chargers aims to ensure drivers are never far from a charger and drivers from across the county can find one when they need it. 

For more information on the council’s work to tackle the climate crisis visit: Tackling the climate emergency in Harborough district and information on emissions visit: Did you know that 55% of emissions in Harborough district are due to transport?