The Source West public EV charging network is set to receive a huge boost after a new West of England partnership has been formed to overhaul the region’s infrastructure and encourage uptake of electric vehicles.
Made up of Bristol City Council, Bath & North East Somerset, South Gloucestershire, and North Somerset local authorities, the partnership will upgrade the existing network and add at least 120 new charge points over the next year.
Working with Siemens Mobility, Alfen, and ChargePoint Services, the charging network will be overhauled with funding received from the region’s Go Ultra Low Cities funding. Go Ultra Low West was awarded £7.1 million by the Office for Low Emission Vehicles, which will also use the money to set-up and/or promote EV car clubs, EV trials, business grants, fleet conversion, EV freight consolidation, and electric taxis.
On behalf of the four local authorities, Marvin Rees, Mayor of Bristol, said: “In order to meet ambitious environmental goals, shared across the region, we must help people transition to low carbon and clean transport options.
“Upgrading our charging network is part of the answer and this will help both existing and future EV drivers to charge their vehicles more easily. Ensuring we develop a resilient charging infrastructure will give more people the confidence they need to embrace this technology.”
Alex Earl, Alfen’s UK Country Manager, said: “With our UK base being in Bristol, we are particularly delighted to have been selected by the West of England partnership to roll out our charge points across the sub-region.
“With our focus on high quality, robust, intelligent units and our experience of over a decade producing EV chargers, we are confident that, together with our partners Siemens and ChargePoint Services, we will provide a high level of service to EV drivers and do our bit to reduce pollution in the area.”
Alex Bamberg, Managing Director at ChargePoint Services Ltd said: “We are very pleased to support the associated local authorities in their goal to reduce carbon output and improve air quality for all.
“Our platform will provide secure, reliable operation across the entire network of electric vehicle chargers, providing a critical service. Drivers will also have access to the national GeniePoint Network of EV chargers.”
Currently, the network’s points are accessed and paid for via a Source West card, or through Charge Your Car app or associated RFID card. Source West will announce next month how access and payment for charging will change going forward as the network undergoes work.
