Britain's ‘largest on-street electric vehicle charging project' announced
A project said to be the UK's largest installation of on-street electric vehicle (EV) chargers has been announced.
Charge point operator Char.gy said it would install more than 6,000 kerbside chargers for Brighton and Hove City Council (BHCC) after securing a £130 million contract.
The rollout of public EV charging is seen as vital to persuade drivers without off-road parking to switch to electric motoring.
Installing street chargers near homes will reduce the need for people to drive to a charging station, and enable more motorists to take advantage of cheaper overnight electricity rates.
BHCC is one of the first local authorities to use the Government's Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (Levi) funding.
The scheme supports local authorities in England to plan and deliver charging infrastructure for residents without off-street parking.
Lilian Greenwood, the future of roads minister, said making EV charging as easy as possible was ' crucial to making the switch to electric a success '.
She went on: 'Rolling out over 6,000 chargers across Brighton and Hove will make driving an electric vehicle easier and more convenient, especially for those without a driveway.
'It will power growth, cut emissions and improve lives in Brighton and Hove and beyond, as we continue to create jobs, attract investment and secure our future.'
Quentin Willson, founder of EV lobby group FairCharge, said: 'Such a huge and very visible deployment of on-street chargers will help create consumer confidence in charging infrastructure.
'It will also show other local authorities that with ambition and Government Levi funding, it's possible to offer chargers to the neglected 30 per cent of EV drivers who can't charge at home.'
Fifteen-year contract
Char.gy has been given a 15-year contract to operate and maintain the charging network.
John Lewis, its chief executive, described the announcement as 'a huge moment for the UK and its EV ambitions' which would 'bring the UK meaningfully closer to ... sustainability goals '.
He said: 'This partnership alone will empower thousands of residents to confidently make the switch to electric vehicles, knowing they have easy access to chargers.'
Last month the Department for Transport (DfT) said the number of public EV charging devices installed in the UK had exceeded 75,000.
A report published by public spending watchdog the National Audit Office in December found the rollout of public EV chargers was 'on track' to meet the 300,000 the DfT estimated would be the minimum needed by 2030.
There are more than 680,000 domestic charge points in England alone.
The Government has pledged to ban the sale of new petrol and diesel cars and vans from 2030.
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