Almost 3,000 publicly accessible electric vehicle (EV) charging sockets will be installed in communities, car parks and on streets across Devon and Torbay over the next few years.
Devon County Council (DCC) and Torbay Council have agreed to work with three companies — Believ, char.gy and Wenea — which will deliver, operate and maintain charging points where people need them most.
In total, around £30m is expected to be invested by the three companies, with a significant £8m contribution from the Department for Transport’s Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (LEVI) fund already awarded to Devon County Council and Torbay Council.
Both DCC and Torbay have adopted EV strategies demonstrating the need for thousands of new charging sockets to be operational by 2030.
The authorities will work with Wenea and district councils to deliver more rapid and fast chargers in public car parks.
East Devon District Council, Exeter City Council, Mid Devon District Council, South Hams District Council, Teignbridge District Council, Torbay Council and West Devon Borough Council manage these car parks.
Believ will deliver standard charger units on streets and in parish council and community car parks, while char.gy will deliver charging points attached to lamp columns.
Installation of the first chargers will begin within the next few months.
Councillor 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.
“We look forward to working closely with Wenea, Believ, char.gy and our parish, town and district council partners.”
Councillor Adam Billings, Cabinet Member for Pride in Place and Parking for Torbay Council, said: “The roll-out of EV charging points across Devon and Torbay will deliver real improvements for local communities and the environment. By working in partnership with Devon County Council, Wenea and Believ, we’re ensuring that charging is accessible, convenient and powered entirely by renewable energy.
“This investment will help remove one of the biggest barriers to EV adoption, especially for residents without off-street parking. Our trial of cross-pavement cable channels for EVs and our shift to an electric Stagecoach bus fleet are some of the other local initiatives set to make a real difference.
“By increasing the number of decarbonised travel options, we are empowering our communities to choose cleaner transport by default. We are certain that residents will support us as we improve our local travel options.”
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