42 chargepoints installed for electric cars in Dorset
Dorset Council have completed phase one of their plan, which is part of their commitment to tackle climate change
44 more fast chargers, also known as sockets and seven more rapid chargers could be installed at 24 new locations in Dorset.
Dorset Council are planning for Phase 2 of their electric vehicle (EV) chargepoint installation programme as they have completed Phase 1.
As part of its commitment to tackle the climate emergency, Phase 1 has seen the installation of 42 chargepoints (sockets) in 21 locations around the County and includes 5 replacement rapid chargers and one new rapid charger at the Langton Road Car Park in Blandford Forum.
Use of the chargepoints has saved 51,000 kg in CO2e emissions when compared with petrol or diesel vehicle use.
Several of these rapid chargers are expected to be 150kW ultra-rapid chargers, capable of providing 200 miles of driving range in about the same time as it takes to enjoy a cup of coffee.
The start of Phase 2
Most of the Phase 2 sites will once more be in Dorset Council run public car parks, but the council are also starting to explore ways to get chargepoints installed in villages, in joint projects involving local residents. This will go some way to addressing the challenge of providing affordable charging for households without access to suitable off-street parking. It will help the council move closer to the short term goal of every Dorset household being within 5 miles of a public charge point by 2023.
The chargepoints are a joint project with award winning chargepoint installers Joju Charging and Mer who have pledged at least £0.5m to Phase 2 of the programme. Dorset Council have access to the Government’s on-street residential charging scheme (ORCS) and will be using this to fund a number of the new sites.
Dorset Council’s public car park based chargepoints are now even easier to use. Customers can use any charge card for the rapid chargers and, as well as Mer’s own easy to use app, they have teamed up with a number of data roaming style mobility payment partners including NewMotion, Allstar One Electric, Electric Juice Network, Paua and Zap Pay. Despite the current energy crisis, Mer have not increased their prices to charge.
Cllr Ray Bryan, Dorset Council’s Portfolio Holder for Highways, Travel and Environment, said:
“With sales of new petrol and diesel cars set to be banned by 2030, it’s essential that we expand the charging infrastructure to support electric vehicles. The use of electric vehicles continues to grow rapidly, and we can already see the benefit that EV infrastructure plays in building drivers’ confidence and encouraging people to switch to cleaner modes of transport.
“We are making sure Dorset Council plays its part in helping to tackle the Climate and Ecological Emergency. The installation of new chargepoints is one of a number of measures needed to support the shift towards more sustainable travel and our commitment to becoming carbon-neutral.”
For more information on public charging points in Dorset, including vehicle charging costs and existing locations of all public charging points, visit the Dorset Council website.