Key Points
- Bolton Council faces calls to install more electric vehicle (EV) charging points amid spiking fuel prices, described as resulting from "the actions of the orange clown."
- Councillor Nick Wilkinson deems the council's plan for 400 new public EV charge points by 2027 "totally insufficient" to support the switch to electric cars.
- The council has secured £2.3 million from the Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (LEVI) fund and City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement (CRSTS) for EV infrastructure rollout.
- Focus areas include high-density neighbourhoods, town centres, and key transport links; pilot projects are underway.
- Petrol prices have surged to nearly 158p per litre and diesel to 190p as of mid-April 2026, shifting conversations towards EV affordability.
- UK saw 473,348 new battery-electric vehicle (BEV) registrations in 2025, up 23.9% from 2024, per RAC data.
- Greater Manchester, including Bolton, has England's lowest public EV chargers per 100,000 people, prompting LEVI funding.
- Town centre car parks, operated by NCP, offer some charging; additional points exist at Back Soho Street near the bus/rail interchange.
- Critics highlight unreliable ultra-fast charging as a barrier to EV adoption.
- Private sites like Last Drop Village provide 24/7 compatible chargers powered by 100% renewable energy.
Bolton (Bolton Today) April 23, 2026 - Bolton Council has been urged to accelerate electric vehicle charging infrastructure amid soaring fuel prices, with local leaders labelling the current plan inadequate for drivers seeking alternatives to petrol and diesel.
Why is Bolton Council urged to add more EV chargers?
The push stems from recent fuel price spikes, pushing motorists towards electric vehicles but exposing a shortfall in public charging. As reported by staff writers at The Bolton News, the council's strategy outlines 400 new points by 2027, yet Councillor Nick Wilkinson called this "totally insufficient" during a recent meeting, questioning how officials can justify the pace given rising costs. He linked the urgency to "the actions of the orange clown," a phrase alluding to international events inflating prices, as covered in the article "Electric vehicle charging point plan 'not enough' as fuel prices spike".
This criticism arises as petrol averages 158p per litre and diesel 190p mid-April 2026, per Jason Simpson, CEO of RAW Charging, who notes volatility is reshaping EV discussions around affordability rather than just sustainability. Wilkinson asked,
“how officers and the council can be so relaxed about this when fuel prices are going through the roof?”
as quoted in Yahoo UK News coverage.
What is Bolton Council's EV charging strategy?
Bolton Council recognises EVs' benefits for carbon reduction, air quality, and health, acknowledging rising usage. Their Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure Strategy targets 400 public points by 2027, backed by £2.3 million from LEVI and CRSTS, as detailed on the official council website. Rollout prioritises high-density areas, town centres, and transport hubs, with pilot projects supporting broader decarbonisation.
Town centre car parks, managed by NCP, provide chargers—users should check the 'additional info' section on NCP's site. Further points operate at Back Soho Street near the bus/rail interchange. Cllr Wilkinson, as reported by Yahoo UK News, dismissed these as inadequate, stating the 400 points are “totally insufficient” for Bolton's needs.
How have fuel prices spiked recently?
Petrol and diesel fluctuations have intensified, with mid-April 2026 averages at 158p and 190p respectively, straining budgets. Jason Simpson of RAW Charging, in EV Powered opinion piece, explained:
“Fuel price volatility has once again put the cost of driving firmly back in the spotlight”.
The Times reported petrol exceeding £1.50 per litre due to the Iran war, boosting home EV charging appeal with cheaper tariffs.
Auto Express highlighted retailer margins—9.2% for standard outlets and 8.1% for supermarkets from January 2024 to March 2025—adding £1.6 billion to 2023 fuel costs versus 2019. Gordon Balmer, PRA executive director, told Auto Express that EV charger installations burden fuel firms, taking 8-10 years to recoup, with power delivery costs up to £1.2 million in some areas.
What is the current state of EV adoption in the UK?
New BEV registrations hit 473,348 in 2025, a 23.9% rise from 2024, according to RAC figures cited by Jason Simpson. Yet infrastructure lags: Greater Manchester has England's lowest public EV chargers per 100,000 people, per government data reported by Mancunian Matters. Bolton secured £2 million LEVI funding recently, as noted in the same article.
A planning statement for St George’s Road car park identifies "lack of reliable, easy to use, ultra-fast charging infrastructure" as a key EV adoption obstacle. Private efforts supplement this; Last Drop Village offers four 24/7 chargers compatible with major plug-in brands, powered by 100% renewables.
Who is criticising the council's plan?
Cllr Nick Wilkinson leads the charge, deeming 400 points insufficient amid fuel hikes. In Yahoo UK News, he questioned council complacency: “how officers and the council can be so relaxed about this”. The Bolton News article attributes the urging directly to council debates, tying it to external fuel pressures.
Broader voices echo this. Jason Simpson argues that price volatility makes "stable, sustainable EV charging" obvious. Gordon Balmer notes charger costs hinder fuel retailers' transition.
What funding supports Bolton's EV rollout?
The council's £2.3 million comes from LEVI and CRSTS, enabling the 400-point target. LEVI aims to accelerate on-street charging, as explained by a government spokesperson in Mancunian Matters:
“The aim of the funding is to improve and accelerate the roll out of local chargers, with a focus on on-street charging”.
Bolton's £2 million LEVI allocation was recent.
Where are existing chargers in Bolton?
Public options include NCP-operated town centre car parks and Back Soho Street. Last Drop Village provides four points on its car park. The strategy eyes expansion to needy areas.
Why now, with fuel prices spiking?
Spikes amplify urgency; drivers face immediate pressures, per Simpson. The Bolton News frames it as hastening the EV switch post-"orange clown" actions. Wilkinson ties it to real-time affordability crises.
What challenges hinder EV infrastructure?
High installation costs, long ROI (8-10 years), and power needs up to £1.2 million persist. Ultra-fast charging shortages block adoption. Greater Manchester's low density underscores regional gaps.
How does this fit national trends?
UK BEV growth surges, but local infrastructure must catch up. Fuel firms blame EV shifts for margins, yet prices stay high. Bolton's plan, though funded, draws fire for scale.
Bolton Council's EV ambitions signal progress, yet critics like Cllr Wilkinson demand acceleration. With fuel at record highs, the debate underscores infrastructure's role in sustainable transport. As Simpson notes, volatility favours EVs—if chargers materialise swiftly. The council continues pilots, but calls grow louder for more.