Bedford Borough Council has unveiled its new EV charging strategy, funded by a £1 million grant from the Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (LEVI) fund.
Procurement of a charge point operator is due to begin by February 2025 and the council will work closely with residents to determine the exact locations of the new chargers, minimising disruption and maximising accessibility.
New charge points will be installed in areas with limited off-street parking, ensuring residents without driveways can conveniently charge their EVs.
Also, the council will expand on its existing network of charge points currently available in the main urban area.
Dedicated bays for EV charging will be protected by Traffic Regulation Orders to ensure they are not blocked by non-charging vehicles.
By providing accessible charging solutions, the council aims to remove a key barrier to EV adoption and encourage residents to make the switch to cleaner transportation options.
Recent consultations helped to select areas to be served, set tougher requirements for the performance management of new charge points, and for the council to understand what information residents need to know about EV charging.
Cllr Jim Weir, Portfolio Holder for Environment at Bedford Borough Council, said, “We are seeing a significant shift towards electric vehicles, and it’s crucial that we have the infrastructure in place to support this change.
“This strategy outlines our plan to install new charge points across the borough, particularly in areas where residents lack off-street parking, ensuring everyone has the opportunity to make the switch to a cleaner, greener way to travel.”
