There are almost twice as many public electric vehicle charging points in Bracknell Forest than there were two years ago, new figures show. 

Data from the Department for Transport show there were 46 publicly provided charging points in Bracknell Forest on January 1 – up from 24 two years ago. 

The figures also show that borough residents had also installed 606 at-home charging points through the Electric Vehicle Homecharge Scheme – a 175 per cent increase over the last two years. 

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Director of Place, Planning and Regeneration at Bracknell Forest Council, Andrew Hunter, said:“As we move towards the restrictions on the sale of fossil-fuelled vehicles, it is inevitable that we will see an increase in all-electric and hybrid-electric vehicles within the borough.

"The council supports this shift as part of its wider aim to reduce the effects of climate change. There are currently charging facilities in Braccan Walk, The Avenue and High Street car parks in Bracknell town centre, and at Westmorland Park.

"To supplement this, the council has secured funding from government to deliver 32 additional charge points at 11 free-to-use car parks in residential areas around the borough.”

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As part of the national green growth agenda, a workshop has been refurbished at Bracknell and Wokingham College to upskill existing electricians to be able to install, repair and service electric and hybrid vehicle charging points. 

The facilities on Church Road were developed after Activate Learning was awarded £200,000 by Thames Valley Berkshire LEP, via the Government’s Local Growth Fund.  

Director of Curriculum Design at Activate Learning, Scott Reilly, said: “The Technology curriculum at Activate Learning is responding to local and national needs to deliver consistently outstanding technical and vocational learning at a time when our local and national communities need it most. 

“We are also excited because it offers an opportunity for adult learners to retrain or upskill to improve their career prospect. It is great news for the community.” 

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Over the last few months, the college has started delivering a two-day course which runs over various dates in April, May and June. 

Chief Executive of Thames Valley Berkshire LEP, Alison Webster, said: “The electric and hybrid vehicle sector is a rapidly growing sector that will help achieve this aim, so we’re delighted that Bracknell and Wokingham College are using our Local Growth Fund investment in skills capital to develop new courses to meet the needs of this sector.  

“As a LEP we are committed to helping Berkshire achieve net zero by 2050.”