Tameside Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Strategy 2026-2031

Tameside Council has adopted its Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Strategy 2026-2031.

The strategy provides a borough-wide framework for developing a public EV charging network across Tameside. It supports the Council's carbon neutrality target and will help residents, businesses and visitors make the transition to electric vehicles.

The strategy focuses particularly on residents who do not have access to off-street parking, as they are less likely to be able to install a private home charger.

Download the adopted EVI Strategy 2026-2031

Suggest a location for a public EV charger

Why the strategy is needed

Electric vehicles can help reduce transport-related emissions and improve local air quality. However, access to reliable and affordable charging remains one of the main barriers to EV ownership.

This is especially important in Tameside because many residents do not have a driveway or dedicated off-street parking space.

The strategy identifies that:

around 56% of homes in Tameside do not have off-street parking;
Tameside had 53 public charge points at the time the strategy was prepared;
modelling indicates that around 699 public charge points may be required by 2030 to meet charging demand;
in January 2025, only 18% of residential properties without off-street parking were within 300 metres of public charging.

These issues mean that public charging infrastructure needs to be planned carefully and targeted where it can have the greatest benefit.

Design note: these four figures could be shown as a simple key facts box.

Our vision

The vision of the strategy is to establish a comprehensive, accessible and reliable EV charging network across Tameside that supports the transition to electric vehicles for residents, businesses and visitors.

The strategy will support Greater Manchester's ambition to become carbon neutral by 2038 and Tameside's wider climate, transport and air quality objectives.

What the strategy aims to do

The strategy will help Tameside Council to:

Improve access to public EV charging

We will support the expansion of public EV charging infrastructure across the borough, with a focus on areas where residents do not have access to off-street parking.

Plan for future demand

The strategy plans for a minimum of 600 strategically located public EV charge points across Tameside by 2030, subject to site suitability, funding, procurement and delivery arrangements.

Improve air quality

The strategy supports the transition away from petrol and diesel vehicles, helping to reduce transport-related emissions and improve local air quality.

Support inclusive access

Charge points should be accessible to as many people as possible, including elderly residents, disabled users and people with limited mobility. Where feasible, public charge points will be expected to reflect recognised accessibility standards.

Support businesses and economic growth

The strategy will support businesses that are considering electric vehicles for their fleets and will help Tameside attract investment in EV charging and related infrastructure.

Work with partners

The Council will work with Transport for Greater Manchester, Greater Manchester local authorities, charge point operators, electricity network operators and other partners to deliver public charging infrastructure efficiently.

Where charge points may be delivered

Public EV charging infrastructure may be delivered in a range of locations, including:

residential streets and neighbourhoods where there is limited off-street parking;
council-owned car parks;
town centres and district centres;
public buildings and community facilities, where suitable;
transport interchanges or locations linked to the wider Bee Network;
commercial and retail locations where the private sector brings forward public charging;
new developments, where EV infrastructure is required through planning and building regulations.

How sites will be considered

A suggested location does not automatically mean that a charger can be installed there.

Potential locations will be considered using a range of factors, including:

evidence of local demand and resident suggestions;
the number of homes without access to off-street parking;
distance from existing public charge points;
safety and accessibility for all highway users;
suitability of the street, pavement or car park layout;
availability of a suitable electricity connection and overall delivery practicality.

This approach will help the Council and its partners consider locations that are needed, practical and safe.

Suggest a charger location

Residents, businesses and community groups can continue to suggest locations for public EV charging points.

Your suggestion will help the Council understand where demand is likely to be highest and where public charging may be most useful.

Submitting a suggestion does not guarantee that a charger will be installed at that location. All sites must go through technical, safety and accessibility checks before they can be taken forward.

Residents Request Form - Suggest a Charger Location

Charging from home and on-street charging

Residents with a driveway or dedicated off-street parking space may be able to install a private home charger.

Residents who park on the street face additional challenges. Trailing charging cables across pavements, footways or roads is not currently permitted because it can create a hazard and obstruct people using the footway.

Tameside Council is monitoring emerging solutions, including cross-pavement channels or gullies, and will review learning from other local authorities before deciding whether any future approach is suitable for Tameside.

Read our on-street EV charging guidance

Delivery approach

Tameside Council will use the strategy to guide delivery planning from 2026 to 2031.

Delivery will be supported through regional and local programmes, including Greater Manchester's Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure programme and Tameside's City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement-funded EV charging programme.

The Council will work with delivery partners and charge point operators to identify, assess and deliver suitable sites. The Council's role will include planning, coordination, site assessment, engagement, monitoring and contract management.

Charge point operators will usually be responsible for installing, operating and maintaining the charge points under agreed contractual arrangements.

What happens next

The Council will:

continue to collect resident and stakeholder suggestions;
work with delivery partners and charge point operators;
prioritise areas where public charging is most needed;
progress suitable sites through design, permissions and delivery;
monitor charge point use, reliability and accessibility, and publish updates as the programme develops.

Delivery will take place over time. The number, type and location of charge points will depend on site suitability, available funding, grid capacity, procurement, operator interest and any necessary approvals.

Consultation on the draft strategy

The draft strategy was subject to public consultation in 2025. Feedback from residents, businesses, council employees and other stakeholders helped inform the final adopted strategy.

The consultation considered the strategy's vision, objectives, priorities and charging proposals.

Read the public consultation report