Somerset Council has secured £3.78 million in government capital funding to significantly expand Electric Vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure across the county – and residents are being invited to help shape where new charge points are installed.
The funding will support the installation of a minimum of 1,606 low-powered public charge point sockets (3.5kW and 7kW) in on-street and car park locations. These charge points will be designed for overnight and long-stay charging, particularly benefiting residents who do not have off-street parking and are therefore unable to install a charge point at home.
A preferred supplier, which will be announced shortly, has been selected, although not in contract yet. They 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 2 years.
Have your say on where charge points should go
To ensure charge points are installed where they are most needed and will be well used, Somerset Council is asking residents to suggest suitable locations. This could be near homes, on local roads, or in places that attract high footfall.
Suggestions will help the Council prioritise sites based on real demand and ensure the county’s charging network meets local needs.
Residents can submit suggested on-street locations via the Council’s new Electric vehicle charging page.
What happens next?
- All suggested locations will be reviewed against initial assessment criteria, including pavement width, road safety and access to power supply.
- Not all suggestions will result in an installation. Charge points will be installed on land owned by Somerset Council or adopted by the Highways Authority only. Charge points are unable to be installed on land belonging to a third party.
- Suitable sites will be passed to the preferred supplier for further due diligence, including site visits.
- Final approval will be required from the Council’s project team before any installation takes place.