EV infrastructure companies Char.gy and EasyGo have recently secured deals with local authorities in England and Scotland to expedite the deployment of public EV chargepoints throughout the UK. The Highland Council, Aberdeen City Council, and Moray Council have revealed that EasyGo is set to implement a 20-year contract valued at around £300 million to enhance EV charging infrastructure in northern Scotland. This initiative will witness a significant increase in charging capacity with the installation of 570 new chargepoints by 2028, alongside the adoption and maintenance of existing council-owned chargepoints in the region by EasyGo.
Transport Scotland has allocated over £7 million in funding to support this partnership, drawn from the Scottish government’s Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Fund. Launched in 2022, this fund aims to bolster Scotland’s EV charging network through collaborations between local authorities and private entities. The grant awarded to EasyGo marks the largest sum granted since the fund’s inception and signifies the first inter-council contract to be awarded under this initiative.
Ollie Chatten, CEO of EasyGo, emphasized the importance of assisting forward-thinking councils in expanding EV infrastructure, viewing it as a crucial step toward a more sustainable future for Scotland. Councillor Kathleen Robertson of Moray Council expressed the benefits of regional collaboration, highlighting the growth opportunities and economic advantages that such initiatives can bring to the area.
Meanwhile, in England, Char.gy has partnered with Barnet Council to introduce an additional 1,000 public EV chargepoints in the borough by 2028. The first phase of this project involves the installation of 500 chargepoints, which has already commenced and is expected to continue over the next three months. The remaining 500 chargepoints will be implemented within the subsequent three years, effectively raising the total number of public chargers in the borough to 2,500.
The project is being funded by nearly £800,000 from the Office for Zero Emission Vehicles’ On-Street Residential Chargepoint Scheme, covering 60% of the rollout costs. Char.gy is covering the remaining expenses, resulting in zero costs for the council. John Lewis, CEO of Char.gy, commended Barnet Council for spearheading this initiative, making it easier for residents to transition to electric vehicles by ensuring convenient charging options in their neighborhoods.
Councillor Alan Schneiderman, cabinet member for environment and climate change, echoed the sentiment, emphasizing the positive impact of increased EV chargepoints on the residents of Barnet as the council progresses towards its Net Zero goals by 2042.
These collaborations between EV infrastructure firms and local authorities underscore the growing momentum in the electrification of transportation and the concerted efforts to expand EV charging networks across the UK. Such initiatives not only facilitate the transition to cleaner transportation but also stimulate economic development and foster sustainable practices within communities.
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