LEVI Project: Powering Up Nottingham’s Electric Future

If you’ve ever struggled to find a charging point near home, help is on the way. The Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (LEVI) project is set to transform how people in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire charge their electric cars and it could be a real game-changer for local drivers. The LEVI fund is a government-backed initiative designed to boost electric vehicle charging across England, particularly in areas where residents don’t have off-street parking. For Nottingham, it’s a major step toward cleaner, more accessible transport.

Nottinghamshire County Council, in partnership with Nottingham City Council and others, has secured £39.3 million of funding for the Midlands region. Of that, Nottingham City Council will receive £1.7 million to install on-street chargers in residential areas, while the County Council has a £5.5 million allocation to expand public charging networks. The goal is to deliver more than 1,000 new charging points across the region in the coming years.

So what does this mean for local people?

First and foremost, it tackles one of the biggest barriers to EV ownership: charging access. Many drivers in Nottingham live in terraced housing or flats without driveways, meaning home charging hasn’t been possible. By installing more on-street chargers, the LEVI project will make electric cars a practical option for thousands more residents. There are wider benefits too. More EVs on the road mean fewer tailpipe emissions, cleaner air, and progress toward Nottingham’s ambitious carbon-neutral targets. The project will also create local jobs in installation, maintenance, and electrical engineering — supporting the growing green economy in the Midlands.

Businesses and local councils are also expected to benefit. Improved infrastructure encourages investment and helps future-proof the area for the shift toward electric transport. Nottingham’s strong track record with sustainability projects, such as its pioneering electric bus fleet, means the city is well placed to lead the way again. Of course, there’s still work to do. The success of LEVI will depend on placing chargers in the right locations, keeping charging costs fair, and ensuring the local electricity grid can handle the increased demand. But the plans are well thought out, with community input and partnerships already in place.

In short, LEVI isn’t just about adding chargers — it’s about creating a fairer, cleaner, and more connected Nottingham. For anyone thinking about going electric, this might be the sign you’ve been waiting for.