North Northants strengthens EV charging network
North Northamptonshire Council has partnered with charge point operator Believ to install 32 more EV charge points across 17 sites.
The move is part of an ongoing project to provide on-street public chargers for residents without driveways or off-road parking, with charge points going live imminently.
The latest installations add to the 22 charge points at 12 sites already available through the work with Believ, and the new batch aims to strengthen the council’s efforts to facilitate a publicly accessible EV network that lowers emissions and improves air quality across the area, with all locations including dedicated bays for EV charging only.
Believ aims to delivers charge point infrastructure at zero cost to local councils or taxpayers, through collaboration with partners, communities and customers to develop and deliver an EV charging network that is accessible, reliable and future-proofed. The company will own, operate and maintain the charge points, which are delivered with its strategic delivery partner, Virgin Media O2.
Cllr Matt Binley, North Northamptonshire Council’s Executive Member for Highways, Travel and Assets, said: “We are delighted to be working with Believ again on this phase of our electric vehicle charging points project. With a rise in users of electric vehicles, it is vital that we deliver a reliable and accessible EV network, for those who have no access to a private drive or wish to charge their vehicle whilst visiting our town centres. The 32 new charging points will make a real difference to residents and mean that more people have a charging point nearby, especially important as we aim to be carbon neutral.”
Perran Moon, Interim CEO of Believ, said: “It is admirable to see a council so determined to speed up the shift away from petrol and diesel vehicles on our roads, and we are equally proud to expand EV infrastructure throughout the UK. We need to ensure that no one is left behind or excluded in the move towards sustainable transport and, at a time when so many are feeling the pinch, doing so at zero cost to the taxpayer or council.”
Image from Believ