Electric Vehicle (EV) charge point operator (CPO) Believ has improved the speed and efficiency of the on-street EV charging infrastructure roll-out by securing its Street Works Access (SWA) code.
The move will save up to £4,000 per on-street charge point installation, and cut delivery times by 50%, according to the CPO.
The time and cost savings will allow the roll-out to accelerate and free-up “millions of pounds” worth of funding and resource.
Before the Street Manager system, many public on-street charger were installed under Section 50 licences. This process was not designed for repeat, utility-style deployments at scale, and often led to inconsistent approval requirements across local authorities, additional consultation steps and longer lead times for CPOs, Believ added.
Under the new framework, registered CPOs can use the street works permitting regime through the DfT’s Street Manager system, aligning EV charging infrastructure more closely with other essential utilities, supporting local authorities to deliver infrastructure more efficiently and with greater certainty.
The reform is also expected to benefit local authorities and communities by improving coordination of works on busy streets, reducing repeat excavations and providing greater clarity around maintenance and reinstatement responsibilities, the CPO added.
Shaun Quirk, Chief Operating Officer at Believ, said:
“Street Works Access removes one of the most avoidable sources of delay in on-street EV charging deployment. For Believ, it means lower delivery costs, fewer stalled projects and a much more predictable rollout programme.
“Most importantly, it helps get charge points installed faster, which is what drivers and local authorities care about most, and is how we can help deliver cleaner air for all.”
Vicky Read, chief executive, ChargeUK said:
“The move to Street Works Access for charge point development from the previous overly complex process was a foundational policy call for ChargeUK. So, it is excellent to see the change undertaken by government and then swiftly being put into practice by charge point operators.
“We’re looking forward to seeing Believ and other operators take advantage of the more streamlined, lower cost system as they continue to rollout high quality charging infrastructure for EV drivers.”
Image courtesy of Green Car Guide
