UK Power Networks (UKPN) has launched a new pilot project in partnership with five local authorities to fill electric charging blackspots in their areas.
Cambridge City Council, Cambridgeshire County Council, Norwich City Council, Norfolk County Council and the London Borough of Redbridge will all work with UKPN to identify areas that have yet to install enough chargers or would benefit from improved air quality as part of the Charge Collective project funded under the Network Innovation Allowance.
The distribution network operator will then hold a competition in which chargepoint operators will be invited to bid at the lowest cost to install and operate chargers in these blackspots under contract with the participating councils. The chargers will be owned by either the local authorities or the winning bidders.
These areas are expected to be in towns with denser populations and less off-street parking.
Ian Cameron, head of customer services and innovation at UKPN, said: “Electricity networks have a key role in enabling the uptake of electric vehicles so that the country can meet its net zero commitments. This project is going to help us discover how we can support our communities to get more chargepoints into areas that need them at the lowest cost to consumers, ensuring that nobody is left behind.”
UKPN said the project will help to assess how much of a discount to connect to the electricity network is required to encourage companies to install chargers in areas where they are not currently economically viable.
Rosy Moore, executive councillor for climate change, environment and the city centre at Cambridge City Council, said: “By working with UK Power Networks this project will enable residential areas of Cambridge, without off street parking, to benefit from electric vehicle charge points where the costs of connection currently make it difficult. This will support the transition to electric vehicle use in the city and cut carbon emissions and air pollution.”