Test sites for electric vehicle charging to go live across Brighton and Hove within days

Five test sites for electric vehicle charging points will go live in the coming week across Brighton and Hove.

Brighton and Hove City Council said: “Five electric vehicle (EV) test sites have been installed in residential areas across the city as part of the council’s commitment to developing the EV charging point network.

“The test sites at Waldegrave Road, Montpelier Road, Ventnor Villas, Maresfield Road and Norton Road are due to go live by (Wednesday) 31 October.

“In this testing period, council officers will be assessing usage to see if there are any issues to resolve before the roll-out of other chargers.

“In May 2018 Brighton and Hove City Council was awarded a £300,000 government grant from the Office of Low Emission Vehicles to install 200 new electric vehicle charge points across the city.

“These are being installed in suitable locations on existing lamp columns as this is where the electricity is delivered from for this scheme.

“Within the next month the council will be going out to tender for a new five-year contract to instal, administer and maintain the 200 new EV charging points in addition to ongoing support for the existing charger network.

“Developing the electric vehicle infrastructure is one aspect of the council’s strategy to tackle air pollution and improve air quality in the city.

“Other initiatives include providing funding for low and zero-emission buses, improving junctions and introducing a low emission zone.

“Major projects, including the Valley Gardens scheme, aim to improve transport routes for cyclists and pedestrians and enhance the city centre’s green spaces.”

Councillor Gill Mitchell, who chairs the council’s Environment, Transport and Sustainability Committee, said: “We are committed to expanding our electric vehicle charger network to ensure we meet the needs of our residents, businesses and visitors.

“There has been a growing demand for charging points in recent years and we want to make it as easy as possible for people to make the switch to electric vehicles, which will help reduce emissions and improve air quality.”