A Community Push for Cleaner Transport
A Warwickshire village is set to take a major step toward sustainable mobility with the development of a new public electric vehicle (EV) charging hub. The project is the result of years of campaigning by a local community energy group determined to ensure rural areas are not left behind in the UK’s transition to low-carbon transport.
Location and Charging Facilities
The EV hub will be built in Harbury village car park, within a 10-minute walk for most residents. Designed to meet both everyday and longer-distance needs, the facility will feature six fast 22kW charging points alongside two rapid 50kW chargers similar to those found at motorway service stations. This mix allows residents and visitors to choose between quick top-ups and faster recharging for longer journeys.
Powered by the Sun
Sustainability sits at the heart of the project. Part of the hub’s electricity will be supplied by solar panels installed on the rooftop of the village hall extension. By integrating renewable energy into the charging infrastructure, the project demonstrates how clean power and transport can work together at a local level in a Warwickshire village setting.
Vision Behind the Project
Harbury Future Energy (HFE), the community group behind the scheme, developed the renewables hub concept in response to the planned phase-out of new petrol and diesel vehicle sales. Director Bob Sherman explained that commercial operators are often reluctant to invest in rural charging points, leaving communities to find their own solutions. Chair Paul Quinney added that the hub is designed to be scalable, offering a model for other rural areas facing grid challenges.
Long Road to Approval
Campaigning for the hub began in 2019, with Warwickshire County Council approving the bid in 2022. The council selected Harbury as a pilot project to test whether rural EV charging hubs could be delivered successfully. Progress, however, was slow due to funding rules and a lack of contractors when the project was first tendered, making the journey both lengthy and frustrating.
Funding and Future Potential
A government grant from the Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure pilot will cover 75% of the installation costs, with the remaining portion to be funded by the appointed contractor. Future expansions could be supported by the Great British Energy Community Fund, administered by the Midlands Net Zero Hub.
Benefits Beyond Charging
Local MP Sir Jeremy Wright praised the initiative, calling it a practical, community-led project that brings real benefits. By expanding EV charging access in a Warwickshire village, the scheme ensures the shift to cleaner transport works for rural communities as well as towns and cities.
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