EV drivers in West Sussex set to save on powering up
A new trial is being launched in the county
People in West Sussex are set to benefit from a new trial aimed at saving EV drivers money each time they charge.
Connected Kerb is upgrading EV charging across the UK, starting with West Sussex, with a smart charging rollout that could collectively save drivers £1.5 billion annually by 2030. The initiative, involving over 6,000 charge points, enables drivers to schedule charging during off-peak hours, slashing costs and reducing carbon emissions.
Joy Dennis, Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport at West Sussex County Council said: "All of our residents - whether they have a driveway or not - deserve access to the significant cost savings associated with smart electric vehicle charging. As EV adoption grows across the country, we're committed to ensuring West Sussex is a leader in the provision of intelligent charging infrastructure.
"This rollout is a genuine step towards a more equitable and sustainable charging system for West Sussex. Our agreement with Connected Kerb to launch smart charging capability across the county will act as a roadmap for other councils, increasing access to smart charging for all."
Anthony Browne, Minister for Technology and Decarbonisation, said: “We want people to be able to charge their EV in a way that works for them, so it’s great to see public smart charging providing opportunities for drivers to save money.
“This has been made possible by Government-funded research, which is now translating into new cheaper charging options for those charging outside their home – a prime example of how industry and Government can work together to support greener travel."
Ben Boutcher-West, Chief Digital Officer at Connected Kerb, said: “Public smart charging is the catalyst we need to create a fairer, greener, and cheaper charging network. We know that just under two thirds of people in the UK don't have access to a home charger, which is why we’re committed to levelling the playing field between those who can access smart charging and those who can’t.
“By increasing the speed of charging when energy is cheapest, we can now offer drivers lower-cost tariffs, maximise the use of green energy and take strain off the grid. Our rollout of public smart charging isn’t just a major milestone for Connected Kerb, but the UK’s EV transition as a whole, bringing our public charging network one stop closer to democratising the gap between those with and without off-street parking.”
This announcement follows Connected Kerb's successful trial of public smart charging, reinforcing its commitment to driving the transition to electric vehicles across the country.