- Suffolk will install 6,000 new EV chargepoints starting in Summer 2025, addressing the needs of residents without driveways.
- The project follows similar initiatives, like Brighton & Hove’s plan to create the UK’s largest on-street charging network with char.gy.
- Backed by £5.3 million in government funding and £16 million from Believ, Suffolk aims to reduce carbon emissions and improve air quality.
UK’s EV charging rollout continues to gather momentum with major Suffolk rollout
Suffolk is becoming a leader in EV charging infrastructure, with plans to install 6,000 new chargepoints across the county. The project, led by Suffolk County Council and Believ, will begin in Summer 2025.
Around 25% of households in Suffolk park on the street, making it difficult to charge. Believ will install the new chargepoints on residential streets, with many locations suggested by local residents through a recent survey. The council has also worked closely with local communities and councils to identify additional sites.
The majority of the new chargepoints will be bollard-style units at the kerbside.
These units are ideal for long-stay or overnight charging. Drivers will benefit from an off-peak tariff, which offers discounted rates for overnight charging. There will also be a special resident’s tariff for discounted charging at all times.
This move comes as part of a broader trend in the UK to expand on-street charging infrastructure. Brighton & Hove, for example, is building the UK’s largest on-street network in partnership with char.gy.
£5.3 million from the government’s Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (LEVI) fund, along with an additional £16 million from Believ is making the project possible. The new infrastructure will support Suffolk’s goal of reducing carbon emissions and improving air quality.
Suffolk is the first local authority in England to begin installing these chargepoints at such a scale. The county will have 5,400 chargepoints by the end of 2030, with 12,000 by 2040.
This initiative marks a significant step towards cleaner air and greener transport in Suffolk. The announcement follows in the footsteps of cities like Brighton & Hove, which are leading the way in the national shift toward sustainable transport.
Guy Bartlett, Believ CEO, said:
“We’re delighted to have been awarded the opportunity to rollout such a significant number of chargepoints across Suffolk.
It will make a real difference to local EV drivers and give others the confidence to go electric, helping to support our mission to deliver cleaner air for all. Through this project we forecast the removal of nearly 140,000 tons of emissions by the end of the initial phase in late 2026.
As one of the UK’s best-backed privately funded chargepoint operators investing over £16m in the Suffolk area, Believ is well placed to support Suffolk deliver its zero carbon transport ambitions.”
