PEOPLE are being encouraged to suggest locations for electric vehicle chargers in Somerset – being installed as part of a multi million-pound project.
Somerset Council has secured £3.78 million in government capital funding to expand electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure across the county – and residents are being invited to help shape where new chargepoints are installed.
The funding will support the installation of at least 1,606 low-powered public chargepoint sockets (3.5kW and 7kW) in on-street and car park locations.
They will be designed for overnight and long-stay charging, targeting residents who do not have off-street parking and are unable to install a chargepoint at home.
A preferred supplier, which will be announced shortly, has been selected, although not in contract yet, the council said, and will be responsible for the supply, installation, operation and maintenance of the network.
The operator will invest at least 60% of the total project cost, in addition to the government’s Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (LEVI).
The concession contract will be in place for 17 years and installations will be completed within the first two years.
Now, people are being encouraged to suggest locations for charging points that meet the criteria – such as being near homes, on smaller roads, or in places that attract high footfall.
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Suggested locations will then be reviewed against initial assessment criteria, including pavement width, road safety and access to power supply.
Charging points will be installed on land owned by Somerset Council or adopted by the Highways Authority only, with final approval needed from the council’s project team before any installation takes place.
Councillor Richard Wilkins, lead member for transport and waste services, said: “Expanding access to electric vehicle charging is a vital step in supporting residents to make the switch to cleaner, greener transport.
“This investment will help ensure people across Somerset, particularly those without off-street parking, have access to reliable and convenient charging close to where they live.
“By inviting residents to suggest locations, we’re making sure new chargepoints are installed where they will make the biggest difference to local communities.”
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Why are we looking to install more charging points when the current ones are not being used? I visit the crescent car park today and not one charging bay was being used but every other space for normal cars were full. Stop thinking you are saving the planet by going electric even the major manufacturers are going back to normal cars.
Surely we have better things to spend the money on than the privileged few that can afford an electric car.