Coventry, United Kingdom – 24 October 2024: Coventry University is taking a leading role in accelerating the city’s transition to electric vehicles (EVs) through a new project focused on overcoming the barriers to home charging. The initiative, which aims to support residents without access to driveways, comes at a crucial time, as nearly half of Coventry households face difficulties in charging their electric vehicles at home.

Named Levelling Up Coventry’s EV Adoption Journey, the project is one of seven winners of the UK Department for Transport’s Transport Decarbonisation Demonstrator competition, which awarded a share of £1.6 million in funding to each of the selected projects. Coventry University, in partnership with Doublemsc Solutions Limited and Coventry City Council, will work to identify the challenges in the current EV charging infrastructure and explore solutions to enable broader EV adoption in the city.

As part of the initiative, the university’s Centre for Future Transport and Cities will aim to develop innovative models that can transform Coventry into a hub for low-carbon electric vehicle solutions. The project will focus particularly on those residents without off-road parking, highlighting the need for accessible and flexible home charging options.

Professor Stewart Birrell, of Coventry University’s National Transport Design Centre, expressed excitement about the project’s potential. “We’re thrilled to be working on such an impactful project, using our expertise in human-centered design to develop the ENSTOREL mobile battery innovation,” he said. “Our goal is to understand and improve Coventry’s existing charging network, identifying gaps and creating a charging solution that’s practical, desirable, and easily accessible for all.”

The Transport Decarbonisation Demonstrator competition, funded by the Department for Transport and delivered by Innovate UK, aims to fast-track the UK’s transition to a low-carbon future. Through initiatives like this, the competition seeks not only to decarbonise transport but also to bring added benefits such as enhanced community cohesion, better access to sustainable travel options, and a reduction in congestion due to fewer private vehicles on the road.

Mike Biddle, Executive Director for Net Zero at Innovate UK, highlighted the broader benefits of the project. “By addressing decarbonisation with a focus on local communities, we’re excited to see how this project could improve health, connectivity, and quality of life for Coventry residents,” Biddle commented. “We look forward to seeing its progress and the positive impact it will have on the city’s transportation landscape.”

As the project progresses, Coventry University’s Centre for Future Transport and Cities will continue to collaborate with local stakeholders to ensure that Coventry’s journey toward sustainable transportation is both inclusive and practical, paving the way for a greener future for all its residents.

– QANTARA (c) 2024