Work is underway across Brighton & Hove to switch more than 500 of the city’s EV chargepoints to new operators.
The standard, fast and rapid chargepoints, currently managed by Blink Charging UK, will transfer to Believ and Char.gy from 15 October, following the end of the council’s contract with Blink.
Chargepoints will be accessible via the Believ and Char.gy apps and through compatible third-party charging apps.
The switch will also mean cheaper rates for overnight charging on standard chargepoints and on all fast and rapids chargepoints.
About 1600 new chargepoints are due to be installed over the next three years with 6000 planned between now and 2040.
The council is also developing plans for a pilot to install about 200 pavement gullies for homes that do not have off-street parking, using funding from the Department for Transport’s (DfT) EV Pavement Channel Grant.
Gullies would allow a charging cable to be run safely through the pavement from a property to a vehicle parked on the road.
Councillor Trevor Muten, Cabinet member for Transport and City Infrastructure, said, “Brighton & Hove has one of the best EV charging networks in the country but we have no plans to stop here.
“We are much more ambitious and are driving forward with much more to come. Over the next few years we’re going to be installing hundreds more chargepoints to meet the needs of our city.
“With the popularity of electric vehicles growing, we need to build an infrastructure that’s fit for the future.
“It’s really pleasing the cost of charging will be coming down with the switch to new operators. We want a network that’s affordable and sustainable for our residents, businesses and visitors.”
