Somerset Council has secured £3,78m in capital funding from the Government’s Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (LEVI) Fund to support the installation of charge points in urban and rural areas.
The Council is now in the process of appointing a contractor, which will fully fund the installation of the up to 20 rapid – 50kW+ – charge points.
Under the proposed 17-year concession contract, the council will receive an annual income from the charge point operator to cover the revenue costs of administering the scheme.
In addition, the contract will deliver a minimum of 1,606 lower-powered charge point sockets up to 7kW, ideal for overnight charging.
Where feasible, the existing low-voltage lamp column cable network will be used to reduce installation costs and disruption.
Also, at least 25% of the charge points will be installed in lower-demand areas to support equitable access across the county.
The LEVI Fund is designed to help local authorities in England with planning and delivering predominantly low-powered charging infrastructure, particularly for residents without access to off-street parking.
In Somerset, about 27% of properties currently lack off-street parking, and the council plans to ask residents for suggestions on charge point locations via its website.
Councillor Richard Wilkins, Lead Member for Transport and Digital, said, “By adopting this delivery approach, we can ensure that rural communities are not left behind in the transition to electric vehicle infrastructure.
“Without LEVI funding, the deployment of electric vehicle charging infrastructure in more rural, lower-demand, and commercially less viable areas of Somerset would be unlikely.
“We are committed to allocate 25% of all charge points to these locations, to help meet the needs of all residents.”
