On-street EV charging infrastructure specialists char.gy have been appointed by West Northamptonshire Council to install over 3,000 on-street chargers across the region, helping to make EV ownership more accessible to those unable to install a home charger.
The installation programme, backed by both private investment and funding through the government’s Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (LEVI) fund, begins this summer, with a significant proportion of the 3,000-plus chargers being lamp post-mounted, on-street units. These chargers will specifically target those drivers who currently lack the ability to install a home charger, which is common in dense urban areas. char.gy says these chargers will also carry ‘competitive user tariffs’. Its current overnight rate, available between 12am and 7am, stands at 39p per kWh – notably cheaper than many other public chargers, but still well above off-peak domestic charging rates.
West Northamptonshire isn’t the only UK region to be installing on-street chargers in large numbers, with significant schemes also in place across areas such as London and Brighton.
Cllr Nigel Stansfield, Cabinet Member for Environment, Recycling and Waste at West Northamptonshire Council, commented:
“This is a transformative investment in our area’s future. By delivering thousands of accessible, convenient and fairly priced on-street charging points, we are making it easier for residents to choose cleaner travel and invest in electric vehicles if they choose to.
Working with Char.gy allows us to scale up quickly using existing infrastructure and ensure our communities are well-prepared for the increasing demand for electric vehicles. This is a major step toward a more sustainable West Northants, and I’m pleased to see this ambitious programme moving forward.”
John Lewis, CEO of char.gy, added:
“This investment will make a real difference to people across West Northamptonshire who don’t have driveways or home chargers. By using lamp columns on residential streets, the Council is bringing charging closer to where people live, without major disruption to neighbourhoods.
We’re proud to be working with West Northamptonshire Council to deliver a reliable and affordable on-street charging network that supports local residents and helps make switching to an electric vehicle a practical option for everyone.”
