This funding will go towards tripling the number of public EV chargers in the county by the end of 2025, with 1,300 chargers to be delivered.
It follows the approval of the Local EV Infrastructure (LEVI) initiative, with investment from the Department for Transport kickstarting the project valued over £10 million.
The majority of the remaining funds will be provided by the EV chargepoint operators themselves.
Councillor Anna Railton, Oxford City Council’s cabinet member for zero carbon Oxford and climate justice, said: “This funding will help ensure that electric vehicle charging infrastructure is consistent across both Oxford city and county by aligning it under one countywide approach, while securing the principles set out in the Oxford EV Infrastructure Strategy”
The joint application was spearheaded by the Oxfordshire County Council in partnership with Oxford City Council and district councils of Cherwell, West Oxfordshire, South Oxfordshire, and Vale of White Horse.
The endeavour, known as OXLEVI, aims to establish an easily accessible, contactless EV charging network throughout the county.
The expansion will also ensure residents without private parking or home chargers can switch to EVs.
Councillor Pete Sudbury, deputy leader of Oxfordshire County Council and cabinet member for climate change and environment, said: “This funding will provide a huge boost to Oxfordshire’s growing EV charging network and build on our leadership in this field, removing one of the blocks to EV ownership.
“One of our top aims is to get reliable, contactless public EV charging into rural and deprived areas, ensuring that nobody will be left behind in the transition to driving electric.”
Seven kW chargers will be utilised for overnight charging at discounted rates.
Installations will also include rapid chargers and bays suitable for van drivers, disabled motorists and EV car clubs.
Locations for the new EV chargers will be strategically selected, focusing mainly on off-street parking venues such as council car parks, building on the successful Park and Charge project.
Councillor Bethia Thomas, leader of Vale of White Horse District Council and cabinet member for climate action, said: “For EV use to grow even further, the number of chargers has to increase in readiness, and we should do all we can to facilitate this.”
In accordance with national policy, the responsibility for deploying EV infrastructure will lie with the Oxfordshire County Council.
This includes the delivery of phase two of the Go Ultra Low Oxford project, seeing an additional minimum of 100 EV chargers in the region alongside the LEVI chargers.
A grant scheme will be launched to help parish councils and associations create community EV charging microhubs at village halls and community centres.