Sunday, November 10, 2024
Infrastructure and TechnologyNews

Council partners with InstaVolt to roll-out EV charging points

Somerset West and Taunton Council has partnered with electric vehicle charge point supplier InstaVolt to facilitate a roll-out of charging stations in its car parks.

The council’s Climate Change team has been working with InstaVolt to negotiate leases for the planned installation of four electric vehicle charging stations located in Taunton, Dulverton and Minehead. The charging stations are scheduled to be completed and switched on later in the spring.

Outlined as a ‘priority action’ in the council’s Carbon Neutrality and Climate Resilience (CNCR) Action Plan, this project marks the start of a 10-year plan to roll-out electric vehicle charging infrastructure for the Somerset West and Taunton area. It supports the transition away from fossil-fuelled vehicles with the potential to significantly reduce carbon emissions, thereby helping the District towards meeting its carbon neutrality target by 2030.

The local authority has also recently adopted a county-wide approved Electric Vehicle Charging Strategy, which provides a blueprint for the delivery of the charging network needed for Somerset.

Each charging station will comprise one or two 50kw DC rapid charge points, available for public use 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Users will be able to locate the stations easily using apps such as Zap-Map, the newly launched InstaVolt app or via the InstaVolt website. Payment will be contactless using a debit or credit card and on a no subscription, pay-as-you-go basis.

Adrian Keen, CEO of InstaVolt said: “Somerset West and Taunton Council is taking vital steps towards addressing the regional disparities that exist within the electric vehicle charging network. A shortage of provision exists in the South West, and our partnership will fill an urgent geographical need for rapid electric vehicle charging.

“The council is supporting the urgent needs of drivers, and at the same time, taking steps towards reaching net-zero by 2030. InstaVolt was selected due to our simple contactless payment option and industry leading reliability. Unlike other providers, we do not require users to become members or sign up to an app, making it a completely hassle free, seamless experience for all customers.”

Transport + Energy is partnering with the Local Council Roads Innovation Group (LCRIG) to deliver an exclusive webinar entitled ‘Overcoming local authority challenges in the EV space’. The event, which is taking place on 25 May, is designed to help provide guidance to local authorities on how to plan, develop and operate electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure and features speakers from the Office for Zero Emission Vehicles, Plymouth City Council and Zemo Partnership. You can find out more and register here.

Image: Shutterstock.

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