Ipswich's only independent news website
We publish the stories that matter and champion everything that's good about our town – without the ads, popups or tracking
Suffolk County Council has partnered with operator Believ to deliver around 6,000 new public electric vehicle chargepoints across the county, starting next summer.
Why it matters: 25% of Suffolk households don't have a driveway and park on their street, creating a significant barrier for residents considering electric vehicle ownership.
The big picture: The rollout aims to provide residents without driveways access to a public chargepoint within a 5-10 minute walk.
By the numbers:
£5.3 million secured from the government's Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (LEVI) fund
An additional £16 million provided by operator Believ
Nearly 140,000 tons of emissions forecast to be removed by late 2026
The details: The majority of new units will be bollard-style chargers at the kerbside, suitable for long-stay or overnight charging. Drivers will benefit from an overnight off-peak tariff and a dedicated resident's tariff with discounted charging at all times.
Public car parks will also see rapid and ultra-rapid chargepoint installations for quicker charging options.
What they're saying: "We are providing a solution by installing chargepoints on their street, or very nearby. Our ambition is to provide them with a public chargepoint within a 5-10 minute walk or wheel," said Councillor Philip Fairclough-Mutton, Suffolk County Council's Cabinet Member for Environment, Communities and Equality.
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."
What's next: In advance of all on-street chargepoint installations, local residents will receive letters with details of the work due to take place, including information on timescales.
The bottom line: Suffolk County Council is the first local authority in England to both award their LEVI main funding tender and subsequently sign a contract with an operator, allowing installations to begin at pace to help meet the county's target of 5,400 public chargepoints by 2030.
We can't do this without you!
If you value strong, free, independent local media that fights tirelessly for our town, please consider contributing just £24 per year
