Urban Fox has been awarded a contract by Suffolk County Council to deliver a major rollout of on-street electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure across the county.
As part of the programme, Urban Fox will install over 1,000 charging sockets, utilising its UEone retractable charge points; a first-of-its-kind solution designed to integrate seamlessly into existing streetscapes.
The initiative forms part of Suffolk County Council’s wider Plug In Suffolk programme, which aims to expand access to EV charging, particularly for residents without off-street parking, supporting the transition to cleaner, more sustainable transport.
Unlike traditional charge points, the UEone chargers are fully retractable and sit flush with the pavement when not in use, helping to preserve valuable pavement space, reduce street clutter, improve accessibility for pedestrians including wheelchair users and those with prams and maintain the character of residential and heritage areas.
Urban Fox will work closely with Suffolk County Council and local stakeholders to ensure charge points are installed in the most appropriate locations, reflecting community needs and minimising disruption during deployment.
Oli Freeling-Wilkinson, CEO of Urban Fox, said:
“This is another important step forward for Urban Fox as we continue to support local authorities in delivering accessible, future-ready EV infrastructure. Suffolk’s commitment to innovation and community-focused deployment aligns perfectly with our approach.
“By deploying our retractable UEone charge points, we’re able to provide a solution that not only meets the growing demand for EV charging but does so in a way that respects the local environment and improves the experience for residents. We’re excited to be working with Suffolk County Council to help accelerate the transition to cleaner transport.”
Councillor Richard Rout, Suffolk County Council’s Cabinet Member for Devolution, Local Government Reorganisation and NSIPs, said:
“We’re excited to be working with Urban Fox, to ensure that those living in conservation areas can access EV charging, alongside those living in more urban settings.
“For many years, the county council’s Plug In Suffolk programme has recognised the importance of offering a variety of EV charging solutions, particularly to those who are unable to charge easily at home.
“This is not only to support the ever-growing number of Suffolk drivers who are switching to EVs, but also to benefit the county’s visitors and the tourism economy.”
Urban Fox is a partnership between Balfour Beatty, the international infrastructure group, and Urban Electric Network, a British EV charge point operator, formed in March 2023.
Image courtesy of Urban Fox/Balfour Beatty.
