Suffolk County Council has announced plans to install around 6,000 new electric vehicle (EV) charge points across the county, making EV charging more accessible for residents without off-street parking.
The £21 million project is funded through a successful £5.3 million bid to the government’s Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (LEVI) fund, alongside more than £16 million of investment from charge point operator Believ. Installations will begin this summer.
Suffolk is the first English local authority to award its LEVI tender and sign a contract. Believ will install, operate and maintain the network, using 100% renewable energy.
Most charge points will be bollard-style units installed at the kerbside for long-stay or overnight use, offering discounted tariffs for residents. Public car parks will also host rapid and ultra-rapid charge points for faster top-ups.
Councillor Philip Fairclough-Mutton said: “25% of Suffolk households don’t have a driveway and park on their street. This is a significant barrier for people who would like an EV… We are providing a solution by installing charge points on their street, or very nearby.”
Believ will deliver a minimum of 2,100 on-street units and over 400 in car parks by the end of 2026, scaling up to 6,000 as demand grows.
Believ CEO Guy Bartlett said: “It will make a real difference to local EV drivers and give others the confidence to go electric.”
Future of Roads Minister Lilian Greenwood added: “Rolling out over 6,000 charging sockets across Suffolk will make driving an EV easier and more convenient.”
The initiative supports Suffolk’s Climate Emergency Plan and aims to significantly reduce emissions, improve air quality and make cleaner transport accessible across the county.
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