Mossley’s first public EV charger launches powered by the sun and funding local community projects

The Vale arts centre has switched on Mossley’s first public electric vehicle (EV) charger. And it’s not just a milestone for local drivers, but a green initiative with a difference. 

Installed at The Vale’s Annexe building, the dual 22kW fast charger can add around 75-90 miles of range in an hour. But what makes it unique is how it’s powered and where surplus income goes.

As a not‑for‑profit organisation, The Vale has pledged to reinvest any surplus from the charger back into Mossley. According to CEO Leon Patel every 270kWh of charging will fund a local creative workshop.

And as 'environmental champions', with a large number of sustainability projects already running at the arts centre, The Vale team were also keen to take advantage of sustainable energy. On bright days, electric vehicles can be powered directly by energy from the centre's 46 high‑efficiency solar panels.

Leon said: "We wanted Mossley’s first public EV charger to do more than provide power; we wanted it to create opportunity. 

"Every charge helps us run workshops, support local people and keep creativity thriving in the town. It’s a small piece of infrastructure with the potential to have a big impact on the community. ”The Vale has also recently introduced its own electric vehicle to support events and community activity, further reducing the centre’s environmental impact. This forms part of a wider sustainability programme that includes heat pumps, live power‑monitoring systems, ethical purchasing, and a commitment to becoming energy self‑sufficient within three to five years through a mix of solar, wind and hydro power. All staff are carbon‑literacy trained, and sustainability is embedded across year‑round programming.

The new charger is open to the public, accepts card or app payments, and will soon appear on national EV charging maps. Previously, the nearest public charger was in Greenfield.

Leon added: “We’ve kept pricing competitive, but the real value is what it enables, because every charge directly supports people in Mossley.”