West Berkshire Council has today [5 July 2023] announced the appointment of a new operator to install 250 electric vehicle (EV) chargepoints as it expands its existing charging infrastructure network.
Some 250 ‘bollard chargepoints’ will be installed, which are designed to draw power from streetlamps and for rapid rollout in residential areas.
Cllr Adrian Abbs, executive member for climate action, recycling and biodiversity at West Berkshire Council, said: “With the increase of private EV ownership, especially with second- and third-hand EVs becoming prevalent, it’s important that we work to ensure residents without private charging points can still have access to chargers.
“It is also essential that we work towards the right network of public chargers across West Berkshire and so remove range anxiety for all types of EV owners.
“Just as important as the installation is the maintenance and so availability of the charging points. This initiative is a step towards our desired end goal of enabling clean air, cost effective transport for as many as possible.”
The scheme was set up to improve the availability of EV charging infrastructure for West Berkshire residents without private off-street parking and in key commercial areas.
The new chargepoints will reportedly charge at a speed of up to 5kW and can be installed in as little as three hours.
West Berkshire Council has entered a four-year contract with chargepoint operator Ubitricity, a subsidiary of Shell, to implement the new infrastructure, with the contract also including use of the local workforce and the upskilling of two local electricians.
Where appropriate, the supplier has said it will re-use or re-purpose equipment as an alternative to recycling.