Connected Kerb plans to double north east chargers
Charge point operator Connected Kerb has announced plans to more than double the number of electric vehicle (EV) chargers in the north east, following its partnership with South Tyneside Council.
The company has partnered with South Tyneside Council to deploy up to 2,100 new charge points. It will mark the single largest installation of public EV charge points in the North of England to date, it claims.
At present, the area hosts just 2.7% of the UK’s public charging infrastructure, despite being home to almost 4% of the UK’s population, which is just 58 chargers per 100,000 people. This is compared to 193 in London. The new deployment represents a 126% boost to the North East’s existing network.
The partnership between Connected Kerb and South Tyneside Council will see 80% of the chargers operational in the next two years, increasing the number of council-operated chargers in South Tyneside more than 30-fold.
The first phase of the installation will take place over at least 41 sites, including community centres, sports facilities and libraries. As part of the rollout, 43 existing charge points will be upgraded.
The move also supports the council’s efforts to reduce carbon emissions and become a carbon neutral authority by 2030.
Chris Pateman-Jones, CEO of Connected Kerb, said: “With millions of pounds available to local authorities from Government initiatives such as the LEVI Fund, councils are in the driving seat to take decisive, meaningful action to deploy charge points where their communities need them the most.
“Our partnership with South Tyneside Council is yet another example of bold ambition turned into action.”
Cllr Ernest Gibson, Lead Member for Neighbourhoods and Climate Change at South Tyneside Council said: “The entire country is undergoing a massive shift in ways in which we travel, and we are committed to ensuring that South Tyneside plays its part. With the first chargers expected to be in the ground by the end of March, we are committed to giving more residents the confidence they need to make the switch to electric, whilst supporting our sustainability agenda.
“Our partnership with Connected Kerb – enabling the largest rollout of EV chargers in the North East – provides a blueprint for other councils right across the UK to follow.”
Image courtesy of Connected Kerb