A new plan that sets out how Bristol will significantly expand its network of electric vehicle (EV) charge points over the coming years has been approved by councillors.
The Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure Strategy aims to make switching to cleaner vehicles easier and more accessible for residents, businesses and visitors, supporting Bristol’s wider goals to reduce pollution, cut carbon emissions and improve public health.
The strategy focuses on increasing the number of charge points at key destinations across the city, including supermarkets, leisure centres and popular visitor locations.
Delivering the programme will involve close collaboration with partners including Bristol City Leap, the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority and private charge point operators, it said.
The council also said that a “strong focus on accessibility runs throughout the strategy”, with charge points carefully placed to keep pavements clear and safe for disabled people, wheelchair users and those with limited mobility, ensuring that the shift to electric transport benefits everyone.
Placement of charge points will also prioritise disadvantaged communities to ensure access is fair across the city. The strategy commits to increasing the availability of faster charging options, giving drivers more choice between slower overnight charging and quicker top‑up facilities depending on their needs, it added.
It is estimated that there will be around 15,000 EVs in Bristol in 2027, increasing to 40,000 in 2030 and reaching 120,000 in 2036, accounting for over 50% of total registered vehicles in the city. Research suggests future EV charging demand in Bristol will require 800 charge points by 2027. This represents an additional 600 charge points to the existing 200 charge points in the city.
Martin Fodor, Chair of the Environment and Sustainability policy committee, said:
“Improving Bristol’s electric vehicle charging network is just one of the measures as part of our wider work to support cleaner air and reduce air pollution. Electric vehicles produce no exhaust emissions, so giving people the confidence that they can charge easily and reliably will help us cut the pollution that harms our health.
“Expanding our charging facilities also supports our ambition to become a carbon‑neutral city by 2030, building on the progress already made through the Clean Air Zone and our wider clean transport plans. This strategy is about creating a strong, accessible and future‑proof network that enables more people to make the switch and contribute to a cleaner, healthier Bristol for everyone.”
Councillor Ed Plowden, Chair of the Transport and Connectivity policy committee, said:
“We know that not everyone in Bristol has access to a driveway or private parking, especially in older terraced streets and denser neighbourhoods, so it’s essential that public charging becomes much easier and more convenient. This strategy sets out how we will expand on‑street residential charging and introduce new community charging hubs in places people use every day – like neighbourhood centres, council car parks and local amenities. Some of this work has begun with the introduction of lamppost charging points and recent approval of a cross-pavement approach to charging vehicles for people without driveways.”
Image courtesy of Green Car Guide
