- South Tyneside Council and Connected Kerb have partnered to install 2,000 new EV charging points over 20 years.
- The first phase includes adding chargers to 20 locations and upgrading 14 sites with rapid 50kW chargers by 2025.
- The project aims to reduce the council’s £200,000 annual subsidy and support the borough’s sustainability goals.
South Tyneside Council is installing 2,000 new charge points with Connected Kerb
South Tyneside Council has partnered with Connected Kerb to improve electric vehicle (EV) charging across the borough. The two have agreed to install up to 2,000 new charging points over the next 20 years. This partnership aims to provide better, more reliable infrastructure for EV users.
In the first two years, new chargers will be added to 20 locations, including residential, commercial, and retail areas. So far, five car parks have seen new chargers, adding 22 sockets. The upgrades also include the addition of rapid charging points. These points, offering 50kW of power, will be added to 14 locations, with 15 new sockets available. Work to upgrade other sites will continue, with 33 more locations set to be improved by the summer of 2025.
The expansion follows a steady increase in EV usage in the area. Between 2021 and 2022, the number of EV users jumped by 70%. The council previously managed 59 charging points, but now plans to replace older chargers with Connected Kerb’s on-street models.
The partnership also aims to reduce the council’s subsidy of £200,000 per year for electricity consumption. Introducing a tariff for users will help cover costs and save £20,000 annually in maintenance.
Councillor Tracey Dixon, Leader of South Tyneside Council, said:
“This new operational model is helping to expand and enhance our existing infrastructure to provide a more reliable, modern comprehensive system that will also give us the scope to grow the network further in future to meet demand as more people turn to using electric vehicles.
By providing the necessary infrastructure for an efficient and reliable network, we hope that residents will have the confidence to make the switch to electric.”
These upgrades position South Tyneside as a leader in sustainable transportation, making it easier for residents to embrace electric vehicles. The expanded charging network will not only support the growing demand but also drive the borough closer to its carbon reduction goals. This also continues Connected Kerb’s extensive collaborations with local authorities. Bringing charging to the people.
