char.gy and Devon Council partner on kerbside EV charger trial to boost local charging access

Leading on-street charge point operator char.gy is set to begin a trial of new on-street electric vehicle (EV) charge points in Devon, marking an early example of the Government’s Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (LEVI) Fund moving from award into delivery.

The trial will see 30 new on-street charge points installed across Devon, helping to improve access to convenient, residential charging for drivers without off-street parking: a key barrier to EV adoption in many parts of the county. The installations will be delivered via LEVI, with a portion of funding released per charge point installed.

The trial is expected to begin in early to mid-August and represents an important step in turning LEVI commitments into infrastructure on the ground. If successful, the trial will inform the next phase of installations, helping Devon understand how on-street charging can be scaled effectively to meet local demand.

According to Zapmap’s latest data, the UK has around 87,000 public charging points across more than 45,000 locations as of late 2025: a rapidly expanding network but one where regional disparities persist. The South West has historically ranked below many urban areas in charger provision, reflecting the challenges of rolling out infrastructure across large, rural counties. This trial phase signals the start of a more coordinated approach to expanding local charging access and supporting residents who rely on public infrastructure to make the switch to electric.

char.gy operates the country’s fourth largest on-street charging network, with more than 5,000 public charge points currently in operation nationwide. All chargers installed as part of the trial will be powered by 100% renewable electricity and supported by char.gy’s driver-friendly pricing, designed to make neighbourhood charging more affordable for everyday drivers.

“This trial is an important step in turning LEVI funding into real, usable infrastructure for communities. For many drivers in Devon, access to reliable on-street charging is essential to making the switch to electric. By starting with a focused trial, we can learn what works locally and help lay the foundations for a wider rollout that gives residents confidence to go electric.”

Councilor Jaqui Hodgson, Devon County Council’s Cabinet member for Environment and Biodiversity said:

“On-road transport makes up more than a quarter of Devon’s total carbon emissions and the delivery of more publicly accessible EV chargers is of vital importance to help address the climate emergency.

“Making it as easy as possible for people to charge their vehicles when and where they need to — outside their home, on streets, in public car parks and even on lamp posts — is crucial to encourage the take-up of EVs.