West Suffolk Council has signed a deal with charging provider ubitricity. The network, which comprises more than 6,500 public charge points, is to install 100 fast, rapid, and on-street public electric vehicle  chargers to expand charging infrastructure in line with the needs of local residents.

The new network will include 5kW, 7kW, 50kW and 150kW chargers, which West Suffolk Council will roll out later in 2023. The planned locations for the ubitricity charge points, chosen for electric vehicle driver convenience, include town centres, leisure centres, country parks and car parks.

West Suffolk Council is working towards being carbon net zero by 2030 and is already in the top 29% of councils nationally for public charging points for EVs, both in total number of devices, and for devices per 100,000 residents.

“This sees a step change in availability of public charging points ahead of the change from fossil fuel vehicles in 2030,” said Cllr Andy Drummond, Cabinet member for Regulatory and Environment at West Suffolk Council.

“I welcome the collaboration with ubitricity and am delighted that the energy motorists are to be supplied is from the same company that buys the energy we generate from our council-owned solar farm, and at competitive rates.

“In December we published a position statement on EV charging point infrastructure and to see this being delivered so quickly shows the pace we are working at to be carbon net zero by 2030.”

The new deal with ubitricity will see 100 new charge points installed

In December 2022, the council published its EV Infrastructure Position Statement, detailing how it will support delivery of EV charging infrastructure. Partnerships such as the one with ubitricity are seen as key to this work and to developing the EV charging infrastructure yet further.

“West Suffolk council is making incredible leaps when it comes to EV charge point infrastructure, delivering a blueprint for other local authorities to follow,” said Toby Butler, UK Managing Director at ubitricity.

“By expanding their network to provide convenient charging facilities for both residents and businesses, they are making the transition to EV much more accessible and helping give drivers the confidence to make the switch.

“We are thrilled to be working with West Suffolk to help them set a standard for other councils to follow.”