Leeds City Council have committed to improving the city’s capability to allow for electric vehicle charging in an effort to make driving an EV easier for both existing and potential owners.
In the past four years, the number of electric vehicles across the UK has seen a sharp rise, growing from 396,945 at the end of 2021 to 1,505,551 in 2025 as of 14 May. As well as ownership increasing, the percentage of new vehicles being manufactured that are electric has also risen, 11.6% in 2021 to 20.7% in 2025 as of 14 May. Leeds Council acknowledges the challenges that come with the rising ownership of electric vehicles, none more so than having the appropriate facilities to be able to charge it.
In a statement addressing these concerns, Ian Moore, Highways Asset Manager for Leeds City Council, said: “As I am sure you would expect, we have received several enquiries from residents who either have or intend on buying an electric vehicle but have no off-road parking.
“We do absolutely recognise that it is estimated that around 20% of Leeds residents may struggle to install home chargers because they don’t have a suitable parking space off the highway and we are developing a cross street channel solution that will allow those residents who wish to take full advantage of the benefits of driving an electric vehicle.
“Currently we have introduced EV Charging Hubs which are in City Council and private car parks, including our Park & Ride sites.”
For those who don’t have a driveway, charging an EV is a challenge at current as the council have a legal duty to ensure the safety of the highway and cannot allow residents to lay their charging cable across the public highway, even if it’s covered by a cable cover or mat, as having a power cable running across the footway would pose a potential hazard and limit access to the streets to disabled vulnerable groups.
Despite the issues with at-home charging in the city, almost half of the EV charging points found in West Yorkshire are currently located in Leeds, with the city being home to 620 of the 1,345 found across the county.
Other councils are attempting to follow suit, with Kirklees Council recently having a scheme approved to fit at least 20 council-run car parks with electric vehicle charging points. The £2.5 million scheme will be funded by the Government and is aimed at residents with no access to off-road parking.
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