Thousands of electric vehicle charge points to be installed in West Sussex
A ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars comes into force in 2030
West Sussex County Council has announced the UK's largest electric vehicle (EV) charge point deployment by a local authority.
Thousands of EV charge points will be installed on local streets, public sector car parks and on community facilities across the county over the next decade.
The authority says they hope the scheme will give people the confidence to go electric, before a ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars comes into force in 2030.
Deborah Urquhart, West Sussex County Council Cabinet Member for Environment and Climate Change, said: “Electric Vehicles offer us an opportunity to travel without emitting carbon or having a negative impact on air quality, but we know that lack of public charge points is preventing many West Sussex residents from making the switch.
“I’m delighted to be taking another step forward to address this problem which will help residents take practical steps to address climate change and I look forward to working alongside Connected Kerb and our district and borough colleagues to deliver the network of West Sussex chargepoints.”
Dr Chris Pateman-Jones, Chief Executive Officer of Connected Kerb, said: “Knowing you can arrive at virtually any location, at any time, in any vehicle and charge your battery without inconvenience or faff is the reality we must deliver to create an EV society. This project – the largest of its kind in the UK – personifies that future, helping residents to reduce their carbon footprint and making electric vehicle charging accessible to those without off-street parking.
“Forward-thinking partners like the West Sussex Councils are driving forward the EV transition at pace – simultaneously providing a blueprint for other local authorities across the UK to do the same. Their example will help the entire country meet its net zero goals by 2050.”
Residents can let the county council know where they would like charge points to be located by using an online form.